Three key takeaways from AIEC 2024

The coed voice should not be misplaced

The theme of this yr’s convention was the human aspect, inviting educators, researchers, policymakers and thought leaders to think about the importance of human connection within the work they do, notably on this quickly evolving digital period.

Attendees have been reminded how the human aspect underpins each profitable scholar journey, and significance was positioned on guaranteeing the scholar voice isn’t misplaced amid political rhetoric, so-called ‘robocaps’, and different themes dominating discussions.

“There’s a lot uncertainty and alter going through worldwide college students proper now,” mentioned IDP’s director of partnerships and exterior relations Joanna Storti.

“And so they don’t actually get a vote on any of it. They don’t get to vote on what’s occurring within the coverage area… so we actually have to take heed to lean in and hear.

“We have to perceive the potential impacts amongst our future college students and speak about what this implies for future vacation spot Australia.”

All through the convention, attendees heard from worldwide college students in quite a lot of periods – together with The PIE’s scholar cafe session, the place college students have been inspired to talk frankly about their scholar journey to convention attendees.

We have to perceive the potential impacts amongst our future college students and speak about what this implies for future vacation spot Australia
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College students had many constructive issues to say about Australia as a research vacation spot, together with all of the methods wherein they’d invested within the nation and the methods wherein Australia had invested in them.

Nonetheless, scholar discussions additionally highlighted essential areas the place the sector wants enchancment.

One scholar shared the problem of discovering employment and recalled being suggested to make use of a extra Anglo-Saxon-sounding identify on functions, whereas one other spoke overtly in regards to the influence of structural racism on her expertise.

Change is afoot

Whether or not you view Australia’s coverage shifts as cyclical or imagine they characterize a extra structural change, one factor is obvious: change is on the horizon.

Regardless of months of controversy surrounding the ESOS Modification Invoice, training minister Jason Clare doubled down on the invoice set to rework Australia’s worldwide training panorama as we all know it, set to cap worldwide scholar numbers, amongst different modifications.

Addressing delegates on the convention, Clare advised them: “The Invoice has been in parliament for 160 days. It’s time to move the Invoice and eliminate ministerial route 107.”

On a number of panels all through the convention, authorities representatives confirmed that, regardless of the Invoice not but being handed, they’re working behind the scenes to make sure procedures are on observe to be up to date by the January 1 implementation date, dispelling any hopes of a potential delay.

Fittingly, the theme of subsequent yr’s AIEC convention is ‘navigating change’ and can will happen in Australia’s capital and parliamentary hub, Canberra, on 14-17 October 2025.

Collaboration and togetherness

Many have complained a couple of lack of session between authorities and sector however it’s clear that collaboration would be the cornerstone of any profitable path ahead.

Whether or not it’s between authorities and sector, establishment to establishment, throughout borders, or on the particular person degree, constructing sturdy partnerships will probably be important to navigating challenges forward.

Attendees heard in regards to the influence of devoted job teams, such because the one concerned in defining the federal government’s TNE exceptions to the cap rule. The TNE stakeholder reference group performed an important function in advocating for extra versatile cap laws, efficiently securing much less restrictive limits for sure TNE applications by participating with authorities.

With some establishments dashing to discover TNE because of the newly detailed exceptions to the cap rule, it’s evident that partnerships with worldwide establishments and international locations will play an important function in Australia’s method going ahead.

Listening and studying from opponents has by no means been extra essential. The convention heard from Larissa Bezo, president of CBIE, who highlighted the challenges Canadian establishments face in assembly their very own federal government-imposed caps, providing a cautionary lesson for Australian suppliers in regards to the influence on the nation’s attractiveness.

To assist establishments put together successfully, IEAA’s CEO Phil Honeywood is lobbying the federal government for a 15% buffer within the cap for the preliminary adjustment yr – a transfer that would present important flexibility.