It is hard to believe that we are already at the end of January 2023. I hope all our members and industry partners had a wonderful festive period and a happy start to the New Year.
My discussions with members over this month indicate a strong sense of optimism fueled by the positive trajectory of the market rebound. I share this optimism and I’m excited to be celebrating the 40th Anniversary of English Australia throughout 2023.
I’m also aware of challenges that exist with resources, staff training and development, visa processing, accommodation, the potential changes in regulatory settings due to the Return to Compliance policy by 30 June 2023, and now the announcement of changes to online study recognition by the Chinese Ministry. English Australia is focused on providing support across these areas of challenge, and further supporting your recovery efforts via our dedicated research and market development initiatives.
Chinese Ministry announcement
The recent Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) announcement on adjusting the special certification/accreditation rules for cross-border online study degree certificates during the COVID-19 Pandemic came as a surprise to many of us. Whilst the policy change is welcomed overall and should drive the recovery of onshore enrolments, it is not without its challenges as noted above (visas, flights, accommodation). The CSCSE is continuing to provide updated FAQs, and I’ve been liaising with our Department of Education on this matter. There are still some questions to be answered on the alignment of this policy change with the return to compliance requirements, and institutional capacity to immediately return to offline (face-to-face) teaching. However, it does appear that the CSCSE are taking a more flexible approach than was initially announced. I will share further information once the situation is confirmed.
English Australia Celebrates 40 Years
English Australia celebrates its 40-year anniversary in 2023. Milestones such as this provide the opportunity to reflect on the journey of the organisation and recognise the contributions of our members and the wider ELICOS community and in particular, the people who have contributed to its success in the past and present, and those who are leading us into the future.
We have a range of exciting initiatives planned over the coming year and I am thrilled that we will be able to meet in person again at our annual English Australia national conference, 30 August – 1 September in Sydney. Please mark the dates in your calendar now and keep the evening of the 31st free for our Gala dinner celebrations.
Regulatory matters
The Return to Compliance position continues to be at the forefront of my discussions with the Department of Education, TEQSA, and ASQA. English Australia is utilising the insights that we gained from our Future of ELICOS research last year, and I will continue to consult with our members to ensure we represent your interests. I have a number of upcoming meetings with the Department of Education and regulators on this topic. I’m aware that our members need time to be able to plan for any changes in the regulatory settings, and I will provide further updates asap.
Visa processing and market changes in Turkey
I am continuing to liaise closely with the Department of Home Affairs on a range of visa processing matters. At the December Branch meetings, I noted several issues that had emerged with the Turkish student cohort thanks to the insights that were shared by our members. The significant spike in visa refusals and the use of the template immi refusal letters have been the focus of my discussions with DHA. The Department is currently reviewing the impact of the spike in refusals, however, it should be noted that the current economic conditions in Turkey mean that all visa applications and GTE statements will be closely reviewed by DHA for the foreseeable future. Members are advised to be extra diligent in reviewing student visa applications and GTEs noting these concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to discuss this matter or other visa-related concerns.
Economic Impact and Growth Opportunities reports – released
Thanks to all our members that provided positive feedback on the release of the latest Economic Impact report which also included the state-based (NSW, Vic, QLD, and WA) sections focused on growth opportunities. The national report is available here: https://www.englishaustralia.com.au/documents/item/1763
PD Fests 2023
We are excited to be able to bring back our state-based PD Fests in 2023, all with a theme of ‘Celebrating community.’ These mini conferences offer a great way for your teachers to gain access to fresh content and connect with other members of the ELICOS sector. The PD Fests have always played an important role in providing access for a larger number of teachers to participate in high-quality PD for a nominal fee and without the requirement to travel. As student numbers increase, we know our members are seeking greater access to these types of initiatives, and Hayo Reinder’s ‘Teacher Leadership for Teacher Wellbeing’ plenary is sure to offer a lot of great insights.
Please register for your local event before it’s too late.
SIG Convenors Announced
I would like to personally extend my congratulations to our newly elected SIG Convenors. I would also like to thank our past SIG Convenors for their contributions. The efforts and dedication of our past and current SIG Convenors are truly appreciated.
Reminder of English Australia 2023 Action Research Program
Please be reminded that our 2023 Action Research Program is open for applications with the theme of ‘Exploring feedback for ongoing learning.’
Please see the newsletter for more details and how you can apply.
I am looking forward to working with you all this year. As always, please reach out to me should you wish to discuss any matters.