The number of Latin American students studying in Australia has increased significantly over the last couple of years. As of September 2008, 17,064 Latin Americans commenced studying in Australia. This is a 32.3% increase from September 2007. This trend is expected to continue.
Students from Latin America are enthusiastic, engaging and have a positive impact within the institutions they attend. They are an asset to any company, bringing international knowledge, adaptability, cultural awareness, language skills, maturity and their ability to communicate in different environments.
In October 2008 the Council of Latin America Relations (COALAR), Queensland Education and Training (QETI) and the University of Queensland (UQ) released the report Bridging the Divide. The report was developed to look at human resource capacity building through engagement of Latin American students studying in Australia, together with Australian and multinational companies activities in the Latin America region. Among the most salient of the report findings is that many companies are unaware of the numbers of Latin American students and the employment opportunities available for these students.
A major attraction for companies to engage with these students in Australia is the provision for overseas students studying on a student visa to work 20 hours per week during the semester, and full time during the holidays. On completion of studies in Australia, graduates have a greater opportunity for international workforce mobility.
The table below shows the study destinations of Latin American students across the states and territories:
The Australia-Latin America Alumni Educational Network aims to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas for academics and students and to provide greater opportunities to engage with the Australia-Latin America focused business community. The website provides a mechanism for networking, to enable the sharing of experiences, stimulate debate and cooperation, and foster long term relationships.
ALABC and DEEWR are inviting registrations for membership of the Australia-Latin America Alumni Educational Network. Members of the alumni network are also granted honorary membership of the Australia-Latin America Business Council and will have the same rights as normal members, save for voting rights. The network also allows members to post documents of interest for members’ information and reference.
The Australia-Latin America Alumni Educational Network is an initiative of the Australia-Latin America Business Council (ALABC) and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), and has been made possible through the financial support of the Council on Australia Latin America Relations (COALAR).
If you require assistance or have any questions about the website, please contact the ALABC Secretariat at secretariat@alabc.com.au.
Source: http://aei.gov.au/AEI/MIP/ItemsOfInterest/08oio18.htm
ELICOS recording a strong growth – Brazilian students in Australia
The English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) sector continues to record strong growth. AEI year-to-date (YTD) September 2008 international student data show there were 494,507 enrolments by full-fee international students in Australia on a student visa. This represents a 19.9% increase on the same period in 2007.YTD September 2008 enrolments and commencements increased by 23.8% and 23.1% respectively over the same period in 2007. This growth was largely driven by India, China, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia and Brazil (13,715 students with 29.3% increase from 2007, ranking number 10)
Source: http://aei.gov.au/AEI/MIP/Statistics/StudentEnrolmentAndVisaStatistics/2008/Monthly_Sum_Sept_pdf.pdf
