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Commonwealth Education Minister Simon Birmingham announced yesterday that Professor Kent Anderson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Community and Engagement), will join a new ministerial council formed to strengthen and expand the role of Australia’s international education sector as a global leader in training and research.

UWA alumna and former Dean of the UWA Business School Tracey Horton also will serve on Council in her new role as Chair of private education provider Navitas.

Created following a recommendation from Australia – Education Globally (Chaney Report) chaired by Chancellor Michael Chaney, the Council for International Education will work with Government and the sector more broadly to help ensure the sector continues to be adaptive, innovative and globally engaged.

Professor Anderson says enhancing our international education opportunities at UWA and across Australia, both in increasing our percentage of international students and providing more global opportunities for local students, is vital for our future.

International education is recognised as one of the five super growth industries and strengthening the sector is a high priority for Australia.

“Australia is a leader in the provision of education to international students, but we must continue to build to ensure we are able to meet student’s ever changing needs.

“International education is the third most valuable export for Australia behind iron ore but ahead of agriculture.  It presents significant opportunities for the country and WA and I am looking forward to working with Council members to identify how best to make the most of these,” he says.

While there are many challenges facing the domestic market, Professor Anderson says international recruitment at UWA was up 35% on this time last year and we remain a leader in providing opportunities for our students to study overseas including through programs such as the New Colombo Plan.

“Given this potential of this growing market, increasing international enrolments is a strategic priority for the University. The fact that we are seeing a rise in enrolments reflects UWA’s commitment to its international strategy,” Professor Anderson says.