9C - Learning Abroad in Australian Universities: Advocacy, action and sustainability post-COVID-19 (60mins)
Tracks
C
| Wednesday, March 15, 2023 |
| 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM |
| 110C |
Details
In May 2022, the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) launched a White Paper on Learning Abroad in Australia Universities. In light of easing COVID-related travel restrictions in Australia and globally, this White Paper intensifies advocacy efforts to ensure participation in learning abroad programs by young Australians returns to, and exceeds, pre-COVID-19 levels.
Global research firmly establishes learning abroad as one of the most important experiences an undergraduate student can access. Prior to the onset of COVID-19, Australia had become a world leader in learning abroad with almost one in four (23%) Australian undergraduate students completing a learning abroad experience in 2019. One of the many untold stories of the pandemic is the 120,000 to 180,000 young Australians who have missed out on the opportunity to participate in a learning abroad experience.
This session explores the context for the White Paper and presents its evidence-based findings, centred around six outcomes. A key feature of the White Paper are its clear ‘calls to action’; for those working in institution-based learning abroad teams as well as for senior-level decision-makers. This session also explores the practical application of these ‘calls to action’ in institutional settings and the sustainability of Australia’s learning abroad sector.
Learning Objectives:
• An understanding as to why advocacy, action and sustainability is currently so crucial for learning abroad in Australia in post-COVID contexts.
• A clear understanding of the six evidence-based outcomes of learning abroad covered in the White Paper:
- Globally engaged leaders
- Global citizens
- Australia’s relations with the world
- Student experience
- Employability and graduate outcomes
- Driver for student recruitment
• An overview of the White Paper’s calls to action and practical steps that can be taken in institutional settings.
Target Audience:
- This session is aimed at those who work in, or have a direct interest in, student mobility programs that include Australia as a source or host/destination country.
- Additionally, this session is relevant to those working in countries where student mobility sectors have been profoundly and negatively impacted by COVID lockdowns and COVID-related travel restrictions.
- And finally, this session is also relevant for international education stakeholders who are key decision makers for institutional, national or regional inbound/outbound mobility programs.
Target Audience Level:
Intermediate, Advanced
Presenter(s)
Ms Woendi Hampton
Director, International
University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia
Learning Abroad in Australian Universities: Advocacy, action and sustainability post-COVID-19
3:15 PM - 4:15 PMBiography
With over 18 years’ experience in the education sector, Woendi is the Director, International at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Her strategic experience and hands-on expertise spans all elements of international operations. She is an IEAA Fellow; Deputy Chair of Australian Universities International Directors Forum (AUIDF); and also chairs AUIDF’s Conferences and Events Working Group.
Dr Kirrilee Hughes
Research Manager
International Education Association of Australia (IEAA), Australia
Learning Abroad in Australian Universities: Advocacy, action and sustainability post-COVID-19
3:15 PM - 4:15 PMBiography
Dr Kirrilee Hughes is an international education consultant and IEAA's Research Manager. She 15+ years of experience in the higher education and schools sectors and has held leadership and strategy roles for global education organisations as well as sessional teaching and research positions at four leading Australian universities.
Mr Simon Watson
Senior Manager, Global Mobility Programs
University of Technology Sydney, Australia
Learning Abroad in Australian Universities: Advocacy, action and sustainability post-COVID-19
3:15 PM - 4:15 PMBiography
With extensive experience in international education, covering recruitment, sponsor relations, business development, and learning abroad, Simon has been the Senior Manager of Global Mobility Programs at University of Technology Sydney for the past ten years. He leads a dedicated team supporting UTS’s ambitious goals for participation in outbound learning abroad, and also oversees the successful inbound study abroad program. He is passionate about innovation, community-building, equity and access, and enabling a transformative global mobility experience for students. He believes that high-quality learning abroad experiences open the door to better understanding and build a better future for us all.
Chairperson
Phil Honeywood
Chief Executive Officer
International Education Association of Australia
