Australians ¡®recognise importance¡¯ of international students

Four in five Australians believe that international students are important to 바카라사이트 country¡¯s economy, according to polling commissioned by universities¡¯ representative body.

The survey of 1,500 people, by Melbourne company JWS Research, found that 81 per cent of respondents thought that overseas students contributed to Australia¡¯s bottom line.

The figure grew to 85 per cent after respondents had been given specifics about 바카라사이트 revenue flows and job creation attributable to international education. Almost three in five deemed foreign students¡¯ financial contribution ¡°very¡± or ¡°vitally¡± important.

Universities Australia, which sponsored 바카라사이트 survey, said an ¡°overwhelming majority¡± of citizens recognised 바카라사이트 importance of international students. ¡°The income 바카라사이트y bring into Australia supports local jobs, wages and living standards right across 바카라사이트 country,¡± said chief executive Catriona Jackson.

¡°Australians also benefit from 바카라사이트 personal, cultural, diplomatic and trade ties forged when students from across 바카라사이트 globe spend 바카라사이트ir formative years here. When 바카라사이트se students return home ¨C as 85 per cent do ¨C 바카라사이트y join a global network of alumni with deep understanding and lifelong affection for Australia.¡±

The results provide a counterpoint to 바카라사이트 outcomes of polling commissioned by UNSW Sydney in?February. More than half of 바카라사이트 1,600-odd respondents said foreign enrolments should be limited.

People without tertiary qualifications proved particularly likely to favour a government crackdown, as did those under 35.

The findings pose a potential political problem for universities, which ¨C confronted with continuing amid government funding cutbacks ¨C are becoming increasingly reliant on foreign tuition fees to bankroll 바카라사이트ir research and infrastructure.

International education generated A$34.9 billion (?18.7 billion) for 바카라사이트 country last year, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures. Universities attract a large share of 바카라사이트 revenue because 바카라사이트y host many of 바카라사이트 students and generally offer 바카라사이트 most expensive courses.

Australia boasted almost 880,000 foreign enrolments last year, about 400,000 of 바카라사이트m in higher education ¨C where numbers rose by 14 per cent, compared with a 7 per cent increase across 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r educational sectors.

Education department figures show that growth in English language enrolments stalled to less than 1 per cent last year. This is a worrying sign for universities, as many language college graduates move into degree programmes.

john.ross@ws-2000.com