IEAA News
IEAA acknowledges Evans: Hopeful on Bowen and O’Connor
Written by: IEAA Secretariat, 04 Feb 2013
The International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) has welcomed the appointment of Chris Bowen as the new Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research and indicated its appreciation of Senator Chris Evans for his previous leadership and involvement in the sector.
“In a crucial year for the international education sector, Minister Bowen’s understanding and appreciation of the international education sector will be important as he looks to build on the ground work laid by his predecessor, Senator Evans,” said Helen Zimmerman, IEAA President.
“As international education policy and implementation are currently shared responsibilities of both the Immigration and the Education Departments, the fact that Senator Evans and Minister Bowen have had responsibility for these two key portfolios has provided both breadth and depth of understanding of the issues our sector has to manage,” said Ms Zimmerman.
“In a similar vein, Brendan O’Connor’s background in the Housing, Homelessness and Small Business portfolios has provided him with a good grounding to tackle some of the complex service delivery issues associated with providing a world class study destination for international students,” she noted.
“In all of this, our sector keenly awaits the outcomes of the Chaney Review into international education strategy and governance, the promised Post-Study Work Rights legislation and the COAG determination on streamlined visa procedures. While the Ken Henry White Paper on ‘Australia in the Asian Century’ was welcomed by all stakeholders for providing a blueprint for the future, great expectations have been raised for Michael Chaney’s reform recommendations and funding to put the ‘flesh on the bones’ of the Asian Century proposals,” Ms Zimmerman suggested.
“IEAA therefore looks forward to meeting with both Minister Bowen and Minister O’Connor in the near future to ensure we maintain the momentum of reform in international education,” Ms Zimmerman concluded.
