International education delegates welcomed to Smart State

About 900 Queensland, interstate and overseas delegates were today welcomed to the host state of this year’s Australian International Education Conference.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford welcomed the participants to the Smart State, saying Queensland excelled in developing and marketing international education.

“As at July 2008, Queensland state schools and TAFE institutes, including English language intensive courses for overseas students, had almost 12,000 enrolments from almost 130 countries,” Mr Welford said.

“The Department of Education, Training and the Arts also manages international education projects in the commercial, world aid and development fields, including for the World Bank and AusAID.

“Queensland Education and Training International, an agency of Trade Queensland, implements strategies to ensure education and training is high quality and student support and pastoral care is available. It also helps the state’s education and training institutes to grow.”

Mr Welford said Queensland derived social, economic and cultural benefits from international education.

“Overseas students attending our schools, TAFEs and universities give our students, staff and their communities a greater understanding of the world in which we live,” he said.

“Increased cultural diversity builds community capacity and inclusiveness and strengthens relationships.

“Overseas students also contribute to local economies through their travel, accommodation and living expenses.

“International education generates jobs for Queenslanders and boosts national goods and services exports, triggering a flow-on effect, increasing the exports of other Australian businesses.

“In Queensland, international education is the third highest export earner.”

For the 2007 calendar year, more than 68,000 international students chose to study in Queensland and the value of the state’s international education exports was more than $1.6 billion in 2006-07.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000