thomson ch'ng, council of international students australia: addressing the needs of...
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Thomson Ch’ng, National President, Council of International Students Australia delivered this presentation at the inaugural Student Experience conference in 2013. A quality student experience is a critical component when examining the attributes a university offers a prospective student. It is equally as important sector wide, in producing highly educated, well rounded and qualified individuals that make up the future of the national workforce. As a result, it is crucial for universities to assess not only ways they can improve their institution’s student experience but ways they can differentiation themselves in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Factors that holistically impact student experience include the interconnections between student services, methods of course delivery and the use of technology along with all that this entails. The Inaugural Student Experience Conference will endeavour to address these complex and challenging issues within the context of the evolving Higher Education sector. For more information about the event, please visit the conference website http://www.informa.com.au/studentexperienceconferenceTRANSCRIPT
Council of International Students Australia (CISA)
About CISA
The Council of International Students Australia (CISA) is the national
peak student representative body for all international students studying in
Australia.
The main purpose of CISA is to:
• Advocate for the interests and needs of international students
• Advocate for high quality education for international students
• Facilitate network building (and business development) among
stakeholders with an interest in supporting international students
Council of International Students Australia (CISA)
PO Box 24134, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
Web: www.cisa.edu.au
Good Practice Program
• Designed to guide Education Providers on ‘best practice’
within the sector, with a focus on enhancing a ‘positive
student experience’ and attracting more and higher
quality students to Australia
• CISA is seeking support and commitment to the program
from industry stakeholders
Council of International Students Australia (CISA)
PO Box 24134, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
Web: www.cisa.edu.au
‘Good Practice’ Summary Checklist • Recruitment
– Contracted credible Agents with transparent arrangements
– Agents being discouraged from taking payments/commissions for
accommodation, student welfare and OSHC
– Prospective students being provided with trends regarding
opportunities for employment related to education course
• Pre-arrival and post-arrival Information
– Evidence of an accountable online comprehensive pre-departure
‘living and studying in Australia’ orientation program accessible to all
international students from pre-arrival to end of visa
– Multiple language translations available in pre-arrival orientation
program
– After hours support line 24/7 for international students post-arrival
Council of International Students Australia (CISA)
PO Box 24134, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
Web: www.cisa.edu.au
‘Good Practice’ Summary Checklist
• Upon Arrival
– Ensure students are appropriately welcomed
– Encourage airport transfers
• Accommodation
– Ensure recommendations are qualified and meet industry standards
(e.g. homestay)
– Ensure referrals for rental accommodation have been vetted
– Institutions support for students being disadvantaged in
accommodation
Council of International Students Australia (CISA)
PO Box 24134, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
Web: www.cisa.edu.au
‘Good Practice’ Summary Checklist
• Transport
– Education provider support for international student discounts inline
with domestic students
– Transparency in cost of transportation pre-acceptance
• Under 18 Welfare
– Ensure that the guardian/welfare provider is professional and
independent of institution and accommodation provider
Council of International Students Australia (CISA)
PO Box 24134, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
Web: www.cisa.edu.au
‘Good Practice’ Summary Checklist
• Managing Post-study options
– Commitment to exiting students outcomes and options
– Commitment to reducing visa extension costs
– Assistance with reverse culture shock for students returning home
• Enhancement of positive student experience
– Ongoing support for promoting international students as employees
and support with fair work practices
– Assistance with integration and acceptance of international students
in the community
– Commitment to the international students voice in Australia and staff
and student representation at the CISA Conference
Council of International Students Australia (CISA)
PO Box 24134, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
Web: www.cisa.edu.au
Education Providers
• Institutions adopting the key elements of the CISA Good Practice
Program will receive a marketing advantage through being able to
use the CISA endorsement globally
• CISA would like to work with education providers to help build their
education services by continual work on their good, better, best
practice initiatives
Council of International Students Australia (CISA)
PO Box 24134, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
Web: www.cisa.edu.au
Moving Forward
• CISA is visiting Education Providers and peak bodies
across the country to present and seek for their
commitment to the Good Practice Program
• CISA will review the program regularly to ensure that it
continues to address current international student issues
within the sector
Council of International Students Australia (CISA)
PO Box 24134, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
Web: www.cisa.edu.au
CISA Story Project
• “I am not Australian, but I have an Australian Story”
• A 2012-2013 initiative, funded by the Australian
Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship
(Department of Immigration and Border Protection)
through the Diversity and Social Cohesion Program
• Focus for the CISA and its relationships with
international education stakeholders
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naDM2S-
OKA0&feature=c4-
overview&list=UU8VOA_GRyd2ECzb8G6Imxeg
Council of International Students Australia (CISA)
PO Box 24134, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
Web: www.cisa.edu.au
CISA Story Project • The project is designed to raise awareness about international
students’ presence and their participation in and contribution to the Australian community
• It highlights the voluntary and social development work international students are involved in, as well as the way they advocate for other students.
• In the project videos, students tell their own stories, describe the challenges and opportunities they see and express their feelings towards Australia.
“While the positive impact international students have on Australia's economy is important, the social and cultural benefits to the Australian community are far greater and hold long term, wide reaching benefits for the country.”
Council of International Students Australia (CISA)
PO Box 24134, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
Web: www.cisa.edu.au
CISA Story Project
• Invited international students across Australia to submit
stories via a competition: 63 entries, State winners and
others
• 16 students filmed between May-July 2013
• Presentations to major conferences and groups;
Ongoing marketing and promotion
Council of International Students Australia (CISA)
PO Box 24134, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
Web: www.cisa.edu.au
Council of International Students Australia (CISA)
PO Box 24134, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
Web: www.cisa.edu.au
CISA Story Project-
Snapshots
• Additional material includes:
The lunchtime snapshot series
Stories of language and learning – ELICOS
students
The launch video
The trailers
Photo galleries – harmony week activities
Council of International Students Australia (CISA)
PO Box 24134, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
Web: www.cisa.edu.au
Council of International Students Australia (CISA)
PO Box 24134, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
Web: www.cisa.edu.au
Council of International Students Australia (CISA)
PO Box 24134, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
Web: www.cisa.edu.au
Connect with Us
www.cisa.edu.au
www.facebook.com/international.students.aus
CISA_National