Good news for someinternational students as the New South Wales government recently gave the green light to a pilot plan, where 500 international students will be welcomed in NSW in December 2021.
According to media reports, the government approved the pilot plan to help international students return on chartered flights, which have been paid for by the students. The students will then quarantine for 14 days at a COVID-safe building offered by Scape, an accommodation provider.
While the Scape Redfern accommodation block in Sydney can house around 650 students, the first phase of the plans is expected to bring back 500 international students by the end of 2021. The plan will see 250 students returning to New South Wales every fortnight.
In a statement released by Alan Tudge, Australias Minister for Education and Youth revealed that Australia was perilously close to hitting the key vaccination targets, which in an earlier press release was capped at 70% to 80% of the entire population.
Also Read: Australias Vaccination Rate to Determine Int'l Students Return: Education Minister
John Barilaro, Industry and Trade Minister for New South Wales, commented that while thousands of jobs across NSW is sustained through the international education sector, the safety of the people of New South Wales takes precedence over bringing in international students. He stated, ... we are taking no risks.
As per the guidelines in place, students participating in the pilot programme will be asked to be fully vaccinated with a TGA-recognised COVID-19 vaccine, and strictly follow the quarantine procedures in place. Additionally, no Australian citizen or resident wishing to return home will be affected by the plan.
Dominic Perrottet, the NSW Treasurer, highlighted the importance of the international education sector, he also pointed out the importance of rebuilding the sector, which was, in 2019, worth $14.6 billion to rebooting the countrys economy.
Stuart Ayres, the Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney, revealed that there are over 57,000 students who are stuck outside of Australia, who are eager to return and resume their studies and part-time jobs, reconnect with friends and continue pursuing their higher education in some of the top universities in the world.
CEO of IEAA, Phil Honeywood, commented that while the plans have been given the Green Light, there still are several obstacles within the implementation stage. Some of these hurdles include, which students will receive preference, which universities, how the cost-per-student will be contained as well as the politics related to having four vaccines eligible currently.
The pilot programme has several education partners who had signed up to participate and bring international students back onshore. Some of these education partners include UNSW, The University of Newcastle, Australian Catholic University, Western Sydney University, Macquarie University, University of Wollongong and UTS, among other independent education providers such as Navitas, International College of Management Sydney, Kaplan, and more.
Catrina Jackson, Chief Executive at Universities Australia, highlighted that the NSW state government, the commonwealth and the NSW University leaders have worked together on the plans for a safe return of the international students for the past 18 months, thus, bringing some hope to those who have been eagerly waiting for the borders to reopen.
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She also added that the NSW pilot programme will be watched closely. She also pointed out that Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia have been working on different plans to help international students return. However, a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in August put a halt in the NSW student return plans, which was scheduled for mid-2021.
Jackson also pointed out that around half the total number of international students enrolled in Australian universities are grounded overseas, which include a third of the PhD students who are anxious to return and complete their research. Thus, all eyes and hearts are attached to the success of the NSW student return plans.
Source: The PIE News
