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Submission regarding the Review of
Australian Higher Education Discussion Paper
June 2008
“International study experience as part of an Australian university qualification”
Background
One of the major themes for the Review Panel is how Australia can develop ‘a diverse, globally focused and competitive higher education sector’ (Appendix A, p. 76). The Discussion Paper makes references in a number of places to the outbound mobility of Australian students on international study experiences.
The Queensland Government and International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) undertook a study in 2006 into employer perceptions of international study experience. The study found, amongst many other positive findings, that “81% of employers asserted that graduates who undertake an overseas experience return to Australia with enhanced skills that are applicable to the workplace”.
This confirms that not only is international study experience for Australian students important in terms of greater internationalisation of institutions and the nation, but also highly important in terms of graduate outcomes, skills and meeting employer demand for certain skills.
The outbound mobility of Australian students is very important in Australian higher education in “…develop[ing] the capacity of Australia to function effectively in the community of nations and of individual Australians to be global citizens” (Section 1.2, p2)
Strategic Context
5/07/10
