Queensland Education and Training International (QETI) IDP Conference Summary of the Queensland initiative of how international education fits into the larger plan Presented By: Scott Sheppard Director QETI
Queensland Education and Training International (QETI) Department of Premier and Cabinet Objective Double economic impact of the Queensland international education and training industry Be a catalyst for change Develop and build long term strategies that will assist the sector to be sustainable and long term
Aims build a whole-of-industry and government approach position Queensland as a preferred provider in selected international and niche markets introduce strategies to ensure high quality of education and training, academic support and pastoral care minimise structural, regulatory and infrastructure barriers to growth
Strategic directions 1. Mobilising unity 2. Creating the image 3. Capturing markets 4. Removing barriers 5. Investing in the future
QETI 2 years on Domestic regional professional development capacity building programs in regions inbound agent, co-ordination with AEI, IDP, Austrade etc. International activities China, Japan, Korea, Latin America, Indonesia, Thailand, Europe, USA.
QETI 2 years on Brand development new website marketing materials digital imaging kits new brochure sets Catalyst role working with industry associations and line agencies to support and add resources to the sector
Regional Activities Capacity building in Queenslands regions. Regional roundtable meetings with cluster members;10 clusters throughout Queensland; activity: professional development, support for infrastructure and services, marketing Financial support for regional capacity building (on a matching basis) Some $600,000 has been provided to regions in Qld for education and training clusters over the last two years.
Branding Based on the AEI study Australia branding research and matched with the Queensland smart state strategy Provided to Queensland industry as a base set of promotional images and messages to develop markets.
Study Queensland Brochures
Japanese Korean SpanishPortuguese
Lessons Industry led activity Varied levels of sophistication Need for continued professional development Provision of intelligence
Trends Greater recognition of importance of international education at senior levels in major institutions; Beginning of recognition of the interconnectivity across the sector and across the economy; Recognition of need for medium to long term strategies and sustainable policies.
Trends Growing recognition of damage that can be done for the whole sector by individual operators; and Recognition that international education and training is about quality and commitment to students not just the dollar return.
Trends: Downside of this. An increase in the number of players looking for short term profits from the sector; More government agencies looking for the sector to provide its performance indicators; Mixed messages about key markets; and New industry of consultants emerging.
The QETI initiative in the larger plan QETI established as part of the Smart State Strategy continue to diversify the Queensland economy support development and adoption of new technologies and skilling individuals to advance growth prospects of traditional industries and areas of emerging technological opportunity Additional elements of Government policy that the initiative supports are: Education and Training Reform Package for secondary schooling (the introduction of a 13 year of schooling) additional programs to build productive capacity in youth and promote labour market participation.
The QETI initiative in the larger plan Explicit in these policies is the recognition that with an increasingly globalised economy the Government is looking to develop a more diversified domestic economy that is able to withstand future external shocks. The five year QETI project directly contributes to these aims - placing additional resources into the export service sector. Capacity building elements are aimed at the whole state, not just the best performing regions in the south east corner.
The QETI initiative in the larger plan The program explicitly recognises the potential of this sector to assist in employment in regional areas and to build on the comparative advantage that Queensland has in its environment, lifestyle and cost structures. The project fits very well with the promotion of new service industries such as biotechnology, ICT, creative industries etc
Conclusion The QETI project is a commitment of real, tangible resources to assist, not direct, the international education and training sector s development. It is a project with a defined life cycle, it will conclude in 3 years time. The results thus far are positive. And for a State Government program it has been well received and supported It is realistic and practical in its aims and does not seek to direct and lead the industry. Regional variances are significant and in an evolving and fragile international environment the need for a spread of markets and risk mitigation strategies is significant.
For More Information: Scott.sheppard@premiers.qld.gov.au www.studyqueensland.qld.edu.au