Student Welcome Desk. Stakeholder Report. Overview. Australian International Education Conference

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1 2010 AN INITIATIVE OF Student Welcome Desk Stakeholder Report Overview Introduction and overview Student Welcome Desk operations Welcome Kits Student Welcome Desk volunteer program Student Welcome Desk 2011 and beyond Conclusion and recommendations [The Student Welcome Desk is] designed to help improve the quality of Melbourne s study experience for international students Professor Margaret Gardner VICE CHANCELLOR, RMIT UNIVERSITY 1

2 Overview In 2008, The Committee for Melbourne s Connect-ED Future Focus Group engaged OKC to undertake the delivery of a pilot project Student Welcome Desk Operated desk for 5 days in Feb 2009 and July 2009 Project evaluation confirmed overall support for the SWD initiative across the international education sector Recommended 2010 operations to expand and continue The 2010 SWD was officially launched on 9 Feb at Melbourne Airport Benefits Provision of information to students Collaborative program between key stakeholders Promotion of Melbourne and Victoria s reputation 2

3 Outcomes Provision of volunteer opportunities social inclusion Contribution from 20 sponsoring organisations Broad promotional campaign Distributed 17,000 Welcome Kits at Melbourne Airport Distributed 3,000 Welcome Kits at subsequent events Provided assistance to 150 students per day Stakeholder communication International Education Advisory Committee Sponsors major sponsors AN INITIATIVE OF 3

4 Sponsors primary partners Sponsors secondary partners 4

5 Student Welcome Desk operations Project funding budget and sponsorship Revenue Government funding Seven Victorian universities Commercial funding In-kind support provided by Melbourne Airport and Telstra Further extend sponsorship invitations 2011 Sources of revenue Student Welcome Desk operations Expenses The majority of the budget was dedicated to marketing and staff and volunteer recruitment and training Expenditure 5

6 Student Welcome Desk operations Marketing, media and design the messages in the branding are clear.to draw attention to the program Student Welcome Desk staff Supervisors, volunteers and team leaders Student Welcome Desk operations Hours, services provision, Melbourne Airport collaboration Student Welcome Desk operations Marketing, media and design the messages in the branding are clear.to draw attention to the program 6

7 Student Welcome Desk operations Student Welcome Desk staff Supervisors, volunteers and team leaders Student Welcome Desk operations Student Welcome Desk operations Hours, services provision, Melbourne Airport collaboration 7

8 Welcome Kits the contents of the Welcome Kit aim to address the welfare and well-being of the newly arriving student Content and contributors Checklist Student Database Review of Welcome Kit Research into information provision Student Welcome Desk volunteer program the SWD should be staffed by volunteers predominantly from the student population 250 volunteers in 2010 Approximately 70% of volunteers are international students Stakeholders: DEECD CAV Victoria University MFB 8

9 Student Welcome Desk volunteer program The volunteer program provided: Community engagement, work experience Insight into the international student experience in Melbourne Staff from a diverse range of cultural backgrounds Involvement of staff from key stakeholders Volunteer training and recruitment Volunteer appreciation event Student Welcome Desk volunteer program Volunteer feedback: 2 workshops 20 volunteers Survey findings Workshop discussion Reason for volunteering Highlights of volunteering 9

10 Student Welcome Desk 2011 and beyond The SWD will continue to be administered by the OKC at the City of Melbourne in 2011 One of the OKC s priorities in planning the 2011 SWD program is to ensure its sustainability The stakeholders remain key to the success of the SWD The ongoing operation of the SWD needs careful consideration and must have the support of the key partners in the program Conclusion and recommendations Overall, the SWD was a success in 2010 Recommendation 1 Continue the SWD in 2011, operating at Melbourne Airport four weeks in Jan Feb and two weeks in July Recommendation 2 Extend sponsorship opportunities to other local councils across Victoria, TAFE/VET sector education providers and relevant commercial entities Recommendation 3 Provide promotional material in at least one language other than English 10

11 Conclusion and recommendations Recommendation 4 Simplify the online promotion of the SWD Recommendation 5 Continue to staff the SWD with volunteers from the student population and from culturally and linguisticallydiverse backgrounds Recommendation 6 Continue to invite staff from government departments, universities and other stakeholder organisations to participate as volunteers at the SWD in 2011 Conclusion and recommendations Recommendation 7 Consult with the OKC Educational Advisory Committee and actively promote the volunteer program in 2011 Recommendation 8 Refine Welcome Kit to include a maximum of 10 items Recommendation 9 OKC and education providers to ensure the kit and the SWD effectively complement services provided predeparture, upon arrival and at orientation sessions 11

12 Contact Details Sharon Smith International Education Project Coordinator Office of Knowledge Capital City of Melbourne Tel: Web: 12