Federation University response to Coalition announcement on international student caps
Federation University welcomes today’s Coalition announcement as recognising the distinct role regional universities play in serving learners who live outside of big cities.
"I urge our political leaders to continue this focus on regional and outer suburban communities, and call on them to commit to policies that ensure everyone can access local education that leads to a local high-paying job, no matter where they live," said Federation University Australia Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Duncan Bentley.
"The Commonwealth Government’s Ministerial Direction 111 also significantly aided our university's recovery."
The Vice-Chancellor encouraged changes to international student policy to be complemented by initiatives to boost domestic student enrolments.
"International student policies create greater certainty for us to make Federation sustainable, but we must have a conversation about domestic student policy."
"We have an extraordinary opportunity to create real pathways for young people in regional and outer Victorian communities to secure meaningful employment."
Federation says it had made changes to re-size its international student programs in light of changes to international student visa policy.
“We now have a smaller, in-demand, and highly rated program that directs international students to our regional campuses,” Professor Bentley said.
"While we are experiencing rapid growth across all campuses, until policy settings provide a clear plan to help us dramatically boost local attainment through refreshed facilities and partnerships, we will continue to make tough choices to keep the momentum going.
"I want to reassure our communities in Ararat, Ballarat, Berwick, Horsham, and Gippsland that we are working hard to become more sustainable in response to the changes in student migration policy.
"I look forward to further policy commitments from all sides of politics that help advance the viability of regional and outer suburban universities across Australia."