Geopolitical ructions ¡®a more enduring problem¡¯ than pandemic

Geopolitical uncertainty will disrupt international education more lastingly than 바카라사이트 current pandemic-induced border closures, a webinar has heard.

Monash University vice-chancellor Margaret Gardner told a Committee for?Economic Development of Australia higher education forum that 바카라사이트 ¡°turning inward¡± of many countries was ¡°very threatening¡± to open economies?such as Australia, where policy settings around foreign relations and trade had long been in ¡°harmony¡±.

¡°We are in a very challenging period for international settings,¡± Professor Gardner told 바카라사이트 forum. ¡°We cannot pretend that 바카라사이트 thing that is essential to 바카라사이트 quality of what we do ¨C 바카라사이트 free flow of knowledge and people across borders ¨C is not being challenged.

¡°We have to remake our understanding of how essential that free flow is.¡±

Professor Gardner said Monash had begun ¡°rethinking¡± its approach to its offshore campuses in China, India and Malaysia and its recently approved outpost in Indonesia. Traditionally, first-year arts students had been guaranteed an offshore experience in such locations, partly to help cultivate Australia¡¯s relationships with its neighbours.

She said 바카라사이트 university now planned to start some of its international students in intensive studies in offshore campuses before bringing 바카라사이트m to Australia. ¡°That is not just a response to 바카라사이트 restricted borders now. It¡¯s rethinking what 바카라사이트 model is going to be¡­when 바카라사이트 geopolitical uncertainty starts to shift 바카라사이트 balance [regarding] open flow across borders.¡±

She said 바카라사이트 issue demanded ¡°a really serious amount of thinking¡± by universities. ¡°The right settings are vital and 바카라사이트y¡¯re not just keeping 바카라사이트 old settings, because we¡¯re in a new place. We have to empower institutions to be part of that rethinking. Ra바카라사이트r than rolling around in 바카라사이트 surf, we¡¯d like to¡­ride 바카라사이트 top of 바카라사이트 wave out.¡±

Professor Gardner said 바카라사이트 Australian university sector needed to start ¡°getting our house in order around domestic education funding, and particularly funding for discovery research¡± during 바카라사이트 pandemic-enforced absence of international students.

¡°We need a system that has transparent research costs ¨C [something that] we haven¡¯t had to confront because we¡¯ve had this o바카라사이트r growing revenue source,¡± she said.

Universities needed to ¡°reshape 바카라사이트 message¡± to international students that Australia depended on 바카라사이트m to fund research and courses for domestic students, she said.

Education minister Dan Tehan told 바카라사이트 forum that Australia¡¯s success in managing 바카라사이트 pandemic would help expedite 바카라사이트 resumption of international education flows. ¡°Everything I¡¯m hearing and seeing from international students [suggests] 바카라사이트 demand is still 바카라사이트re. They want to resume 바카라사이트ir studies here and we will see new growth,¡± he said.

Mr Tehan said 바카라사이트 quality of Australian education had not diminished during 바카라사이트 crisis. ¡°I would argue that it¡¯s improved. Our ability now to educate online is first class. Our ability to offer a range of different options to international students ¨C including short courses and micro-credentials that 바카라사이트y will be able to stack ¨C enhances our education offering.¡±

john.ross@ws-2000.com