University of Newcastle support roles axed
THE University of Newcastle will cut four positions from its international office as part of a restructure of the unit.
The office provides welfare and support services to the university’s 7441 international students.
A university spokeswoman said the restructure, leaving 46 people employed in the office, was designed to drive stronger international engagement and outreach.
“To achieve this, the university is seeking to build a contemporary international office with the capacity and capability to deliver outstanding global engagement and support an excellent student experience for our international students,” the spokeswoman said.
“The university has initiated a thorough consultative change process with the engagement of union representatives and the process of change is ongoing.”
International students represented 18.5 per cent of the total student population in 2014.
By comparison, international enrolments represented 22.4 per cent of the student population in 2010 and 17.5 per cent in 2007.
Worth about $1.7 billion a year, international education is Australia’s most valuable services export industry.
Most universities rely on income from international student education to support other activities within the institution. A recent reserve bank submission to a parliamentary inquiry into housing ownership forecast strong student visa growth in coming years.
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It predicted international enrolments would probably surpass the record 2009 figure of 120,000 within two years.
The spokeswoman said the university was supporting affected staff throughout the international office restructure process, including discussing employment options within the university.
http://www.theherald.com.au/story/3260833/university-of-newcastle-support-roles-axed/?cs=316
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