19 December 2019
More than 800 University of South Australia students, many of them from the 70+ countries around the world that choose to study with UniSA, will graduate this Friday.
As education edged ahead of the wine industry as the top export earner for South Australia for the first time this month at $1.92 billion, UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor David Lloyd says aspirations to become a global education city are well on track.
“We know international education has been important culturally for South Australia, but these latest results show how significant it is for our economy,” Prof Lloyd says.
“What we gain from opening up the city and its educational institutions to the world is significant and the impact of that engagement delivers direct benefits to employment, research and development, diplomacy, tourism and business and industry.”
UniSA Pro Vice Chancellor International, Gabrielle Rolan says the University is proud to have played a significant role in pushing international education to the exports top spot.
“International student numbers at UniSA have increased by more than 30 per cent in the past 12 months, compared to 16 per cent for the state overall,” Rolan says.
“The statistics speak volumes about how well our city and university engages with students from a wide range of foreign countries throughout the world – in our case at UniSA more than 6000 students from 71 countries.
“The benefits to South Australia go far beyond economics - international students add value to our state and student body in many ways.
“They bring different cultural perspectives and create a rich and diverse multicultural environment. Lifelong friendships are formed between international and domestic students, with both gaining global insights thanks to a close interaction.”
Rolan says international students help to make Adelaide a more vibrant city in every way - embracing our lifestyle, food, wildlife, culture and climate.
“About 40 per cent of international students also volunteer in their local communities, enriching and supporting the lives of residents,” Rolan says.
“As graduates, they also become unofficial ambassadors for our State and open the doors in trade, tourism and diplomacy.
“In the past year alone, UniSA has welcomed a surge in enrolments from a wider range of countries, including Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Taiwan and Papua New Guinea.
“Our enrolments from traditional overseas markets such as India and China remain strong and we now have an international alumni community that encompasses countries on every continent in the world.
“International students offer a genuine connection to South Australia and their positive experiences here are a potent tool for promoting the State and all it has to offer.”
The Premier of South Australia, Steven Marshall will deliver the graduation address at the morning ceremony this Friday commencing at 10.30 am.
Media contact: Michèle Nardelli, phone: +61 418 823 673 or +61 8 8302 0966 email: Michele.nardelli@unisa.edu.au
