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Media Release
Future of International Education
4 April 2006
The Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, today announced a number of measures that usher in the beginning of a new era in co-operation in higher education and training in the greater Asia-Pacific region.
Speaking at the International Education Forum 2006 in Brisbane, Minister Bishop challenged Australia’s higher education sector to actively debate the implications of Europe’s Bologna Process for the Australian education scene.
Minister Bishop released a discussion paper on the issue today saying that by 2010 under the Bologna Process, the 45 nations involved aim to build a European Higher Education Area, making it easier for students to move between institutions.
In a move to encourage more Australians to experience an international education, Minister Bishop also announced today a review to increase the number of Australians who study overseas.
“Compared with other countries, few Australians take the opportunity to study abroad and we need to identify opportunities and obstacles for students,” Minister Bishop said.
“Difficulties with student mobility programmes, credit transfer, financial limitations and course requirements all restrict participation. We need to address perceptions of the value of study abroad, including its contribution to graduates’ skills, adaptability and employability.”
The Australian Government will look at ways of allowing more Australians to study overseas, both in the higher education as well as vocational and technical education sectors. A review will be commissioned in coming weeks, with a working group to be set up to implement recommendations and pilot studies to trial new approaches.
In a further initiative, Minister Bishop announced a new online training course for Education Agents.
“The Australian Government is working with the Australian international education sector to build on past successes as we move into a changing and challenging future. To that end sustainable growth, quality and diversification are the aims of the Government’s engagement with the sector,” Minister Bishop said.
“The new online Education Agent Training Course will support agents in communicating cutting-edge, accurate and relevant information to international students.
“The course is free of charge and skills-based. It has received an outstanding response in pilot testing.”
Minister Bishop said the forum was aimed at challenging thinking, current assumptions and approaches of all those involved in education across the region.
“The international education sector has entered a time of accelerating structural change. Broader social, economic, technological and demographic changes will have a massive impact on education over the next 20 years,” she said.
An inaugural meeting of 27 education ministers and senior officials from the Asia-Pacific region and beyond took place today alongside the Forum.
“This was a unique opportunity for discussion at the highest level of government,” Minister Bishop said.
“Ministers agreed on the common goal of increasing student and academic mobility and transferability of qualifications. Student mobility and exchange are seen by all countries as providing the basis for friendship, mutual respect, understanding and peace in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
“A working group convened by Australia will develop the work programme to address a range of issues including common competency based standards for teachers in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in science and mathematics.
“The Ministers agreed to continue the Asia-Pacific Education Ministers’ meeting as a biennial event. The next meeting will take place in 2008.”
The communique of the Asia-Pacifc Education Ministers’ meeting is at: http://www.dest.gov.au/sectors/international_education/communique_doc.htm
Media Contacts:
Ms Bishop’s Office: Murray Hansen 0417 886 155
Dept of Education, Science & Training: Virginia Cook 0412 971 323
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