Dated: 16/2/09
Melbourne is taking an enthusiastic new approach to welcome international students this week, by arming them with essential information on arrival at Melbourne Airport.
Lord Mayor Robert Doyle today launched an official Student Welcome Desk at the airport as part of a pilot scheme designed to enhance the arrival experience of international students coming to live and study in Victoria.
Lord Mayor Doyle said students arriving from all over the globe would be greeted by friendly volunteers and provided with comprehensive information packs.
“We are responding to the needs of the growing international student population and striving to educate, support and inspire them from the moment they arrive in our city,” the Lord Mayor said.
The welcome desk will operate from 6am – 11pm daily during the peak overseas student arrival period from16-20 February.
“We anticipate that more than 20,000 international students will be greeted and provided with welcome packs over the next five days,” the Lord Mayor said.
“These packs provide essential information about welfare services, transport guides, housing and employment options and social integration.”
In the 12 months to September 2008, the total number of enrolments increased by 21%, with more than 148,000 students from abroad enrolling for universities in Victoria.
The pilot program was initiated as part of the Connect-Ed initiative, developed in partnership with the Committee for Melbourne’s business leadership program, Future Focus Group, to improve the quality of experience for international students, particularly upon arrival and in their first few days.
Future Focus Group’s Connect-Ed member, Mr Craig Harris says through this approach we are not only able to provide valuable orientation information to students, but also achieve collaboration across government, the universities and various support groups.
“In doing so, this becomes a signature event that promotes Melbourne’s reputation as a University City and destination of choice for international students,” Mr Harris said.
“We hope this initiative will result in an improved orientation experience to international students on an ongoing basis. We will also seek to gather a database of international student contact details for ongoing communication and the provision of follow-up information, services and support,” he said.
Sponsoring the welcome desk, with a combined contribution of more than $70,000 the initiative is jointly funded by the City of Melbourne, Committee for Melbourne, Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, Melbourne Airport, Consumer Affairs Victoria, Tourism Victoria and each of the eight major universities.
Chris Woodruff, CEO Melbourne Airport said Melbourne’s reputation as a Global University City contributed to its position in the aviation sector.
“Victoria is better placed than most in the aviation sector with its strong tourism and business travel led by a comprehensive major events calendar. Melbourne’s position as a Global University City, its strong convention market enhanced by the opening of the new Melbourne Convention Centre, and excellent frequency of air services being offered by our six domestic and 22 international airlines is what makes it a aviation leader,” Mr Woodruff said.
The welcome packs were developed by Melbourne’s Office of Knowledge Capital, a jointly funded collaboration between the City of Melbourne, Committee for Melbourne and each of the eight major universities; Australian Catholic University, Deakin University, La Trobe University, Monash University, RMIT University, Swinburne University, The University of Melbourne and Victoria University.
For more information visit Office of Knowledge Capital.
The City of Melbourne will host its annual Welcome to International Students event on Sunday, 1 March 2009, from 1pm to 4pm at Federation Square. For more information visit International students or call the City of Melbourne on (03) 9658 9658.
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Sometimes I wonder what's the purpose of the 5 days special "treatment"? Most first timer international students comes into Australia around the last week of Jan to 2nd week of Feb. Mid Feb to March is when most 2nd year and older students come back as they don't have orientations to attend to.
Not sure how will this benefit the majority or minority of the international students?
They should run this for at least 1 month from late Jan to late Feb.
Nonetheless, good effort as a pilot run. Hoping to see more to come soon!
Oh, and how about concession travel for International Students for a change? :P
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