Summary
Australia is investing in advanced education technology to build and support infrastructure for a smooth hybrid learning system for students
In July 2020, the Australian government announced the international student flexibility package, under which remote working students have been granted access to post-study work rights
Australia is one of the most sought-after study destinations for higher education. Offering a wide range of innovative, creative courses packed with theoretical and practical concepts, Australian universities are way ahead in providing a unique lifestyle and career opportunities to students.
According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022, Australia is home to seven of the world’s top 100 universities, including the Australian National University, University of Queensland, University of Melbourne, Monash University, University of Sydney, University of Western Australia, and University of New South Wales. Not only that, the Economic Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index has placed four Australian cities – Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, and Brisbane – among the world’s top 10 most liveable cities.
However, in 2020, the country decided to close its borders over health concerns, which impacted many international students’ education plans. To prevent students from the unfavourable position of not being able to access Australian education, its government encouraged universities to explore virtual education. Much to its credit, the country is commended globally for handling the COVID-19 situation and swiftly adopting online education technology for students to resume their courses without delay.
Hybrid education: The future of learning
Today, Australian universities offer students with a blended learning option, with a part of the programme online and the remaining on campus. A blended learning model enables a student to save time as they don’t have to wait for borders to reopen. The critical feature of this system provides flexibility to study from anywhere around the world, along with offering the benefit of experiencing on-campus culture. Besides, we cannot ignore its cost-effectiveness, something almost every student hopes for in these trying times.
Australia is extensively investing in advanced education technology to build and support infrastructure for a smooth hybrid learning system to cater to the demands of students. Almost all Australian universities are offering hybrid courses with an easy transition process so that students can smoothly move to campus classes after the borders reopen. Moreover, in July 2020, the Australian government announced the international student flexibility package under which remote working students also have been granted access to post-study work rights.
Financial aid by Australian universities
Several Australian universities have also reduced their fees significantly for students who have opted for online programmes. For instance, the University of Wollongong, offers an unlimited number of COVID-19 bursaries with up to 20% reduction on tuition fees. Similarly, the University of Queensland and the University of Adelaide is providing up to 20% reduction in fees to eligible overseas students enrolled in undergraduate, postgraduate, and Pre-Enrolment English Program (PEP) courses.
Along with this, there are many scholarships that can help students get admission in Australia. The list includes Dean’s Honours Scholarship (QUT Business School) 2021, ANU Stephen & Helen Wurm PhD Scholarship in Asia-Pacific Linguistics 2021, International Student Academic Excellence Scholarship at Griffith University 2021/22, and VU COVID-19 International Scholarship 2020. Beyond some of these examples, almost every institution is offering special scholarships to help students fulfil their dream in this time of crisis.
Online courses in Australia
According to a recent statement issued by the minister for education and youth of Australia, Alan Tudge, the country is witnessing more enrolment in online e-commerce courses than subjects such as Maths, Technology, Sciences, and Health Infrastructure. Hence, he asked the universities to embrace these in-demand skill-based courses to cater to students’ evolving interests and changing dynamics of the economy.
Besides, to provide relief to the international students who are already in Australia and cannot move back to their home countries till 2022, the Australian government has adjusted their working hour limit. Especially for the students undertaking tourism and hospitality courses, who earlier had to meet the fortnightly limit of 40 work hours, no longer need to do so temporarily.
The government and institutions are doing every bit to help international students fulfil their dream of studying in Australia. In recent news, the Commonwealth has approved the arrival plan of international students in Australia. As a result, South Australia will very soon be welcoming international students to their country. Though there are certain rules that students will have to follow (like quarantining for a specific period), the future seems to be very hopeful for students who are eager to begin their on-campus learning. Therefore, it’s the right time for students to get in touch with international education specialists and begin their application process; this will help them stay ahead of the queue and be ready to fly to their dream destination as soon as the government permits.
Piyush Kumar is the regional director (south Asia) for IDP Education. He heads IDP’s operations in the region and oversees the execution of business strategy.
Last updated on 25 Dec 2021
