Following a drop of 33% in international enrollments in South Australia (SA), universities in the state have urged the federal government to re-open Australian borders to international students.
According to the data released by Xinhua new agency, international enrolments dropped as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic which have crippled the countrys economy.
Vice President and Pro Vice- Chancellor (International) at Flinders University, Sebastian Raneskold said the pandemic has had an impact on fall enrollments which was concerning for both universities and the states economy.
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Raneskold has called for creating a plan to bring back international students, and set up dedicated quarantine facilities for foriegn students to make sure it does not affect the return of others.
Before the pandemic hit the world, international students contributed A$2 billion per year to the economy of South Australia.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, enrolments from China, which is the states biggest source of international students, saw a drop of 20% and 35% from students from the Indian subcontinent, which is the second biggest international education market.
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According to the federal government and the federal budget projections for the 2021-22 financial year does not expect international borders to open until mid 2022
Pro Vice Chancellor (International), Jacqueline Lo, at the University of Adelaide, said the announcement was worrying and disappointing for the institution.
Alan Tudge, Education Minister, however, had said in January that the government was open to all options applicable to the return of international students and asked state and territory governments to submit their respective proposals.
