24th September 2008

Australian International Education Conference 7-10 October 2008          

Ahead of the biggest international education conference in the Asia-Pacific region which will be held in Brisbane next month, the Australian Bureau of Statistics has reported that Australia’s education exports grew by a massive 23.4% in the past year to $13.7 billion in 2007-08. 

The ABS figures, which were released this month, confirm that education is Australia’s number one services export, having widened the gap since it first drew ahead of tourism six months ago.  

“The continuing strong growth underlines yet again that international education makes a major contribution to Australia’s economic prosperity,” said conference co-host, IDP Education chief executive Tony Pollock. 

“This news is the perfect curtain raiser for the conference, where delegates from 34 countries will gather to hear how Australia is building one of the world’s most successful export industries educating students from overseas.”  

The Australian International Education Conference (AIEC), now in its 22^nd year, is the industry's largest annual gathering, where experts assemble to hear the latest findings, views and opinion. 

"We are delighted with the keen response to the conference. With over 1100 delegates expected, it will the biggest we have held in Queensland,” Mr Pollock said. 

"Twenty years ago this was a small gathering of believers exchanging hopeful strategies on how to internationalise education. Now it is a sophisticated, far-reaching industry event looking at something with a big impact on society. 

"The line-up of opinion, market research findings, presentations and workshops at the conference show what a serious business it has become. 

"It's no secret delegates from around the world will be coming to Brisbane to find out how Australia does it." 

The most up-to-date official statistics show that 460,000 fee-paying international students have enrolled in courses in Australia in 2008 (up to July). This is 18.9% higher than the previous year. Student commencements (new enrolments) grew by 22.4% in the same period. Students are at universities, secondary schools, English language centres and in vocational education. 

Topics during the four-day conference range from why international students choose Australia over other countries, to how to ensure students thrive amid cultural differences in the classroom. There is even a briefing on education progress in Iraq. 

But, reflecting the conference theme of “Global Citizens, Global Impact” the highest profile sessions deal with research findings on how the industry benefits not only international students, but also their communities and their countries. 

"In current world economic circumstances, there is fierce interest in how high-quality services such as education can thrive and prosper - not just as a knowledge industry that functions as an economic powerhouse, but in how educating people from other countries impacts Australian society," Mr Pollock said. 

Representatives of all education sectors, plus government and non-government agencies, as well as corporates, are among attendees and sponsors. 

Delegates will hear research findings and forecasts from over 185 speakers about the economic and social impact of international education. Wheelchair adventurer, neuroscientist and former international student Dr William Tan, and Linda Mickleborough and Ali Barker of Circus Oz will give keynote addresses as part of the motivational agenda.  

"The number of speakers wishing to present at the conference this year was the highest ever, and we have carefully selected the best of the best," Mr Pollock said. 

More than 185 speakers will present across 91 sessions. In a first for the conference, it aims to be carbon neutral.

THE EVENT 

What:   22^nd Australian International Education Conference (AIEC)

Where:    Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre

When:  7-10 October 2008

Theme:  Global Citizens, Global Impact

Web:  www.aiec.idp.com 

INTERVIEWS AND MEDIA BRIEFINGS 

Meredith Jackson 0408 057 862 / +61 408 057 862 or 

Tim Dodd 0407 440 160 / +61 407 440 160 or  
 

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION IN AUSTRALIA 

• Education is Australia’s top services export and third largest export overall after coal and iron ore
  
• Education moved ahead of tourism in export value for the first time in the 2007 calendar year
  
• 469,692 international students have enrolled to study in Australia during 2008 (up to July) according to the Federal Government agency, Australian Education International 
  

ABOUT IDP EDUCATION PTY LTD 

• IDP Education jointly hosts the Australian International Education Conference in conjunction with the International Education Association of Australia 
  
• IDP Education is the largest placement service for international students enrolling in Australian educational institutions with over 75 student offices in 29 countries 
  
• IDP Education jointly owns the world’s leading English language proficiency test, IELTS, with the British Council and Cambridge University 
  
• IDP Education is half-owned by Australian universities and half-owned by SEEK Ltd, Australia’s leading online employment and training company