Another boost for Study Sunshine Coast

Council’s Study Sunshine Coast initiative has received state recognition after one its student ambassadors was selected to support the growth of international education and training across Queensland.

Scottish student Aileen Moore, who is currently studying at the University of the Sunshine Coast and was previously a student of TAFE Queensland East Coast, was one of ten students appointed by Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ) to the Queensland International Student Advisory Panel which recently held its inaugural International Training and Education Summit on the Gold Coast.

Ms Moore said the summit was a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the international education and training industry in Queensland. “Students met with the Treasurer and Minister of Investment and Trade, Mr Curtis Pitt MP, as well as education industry professionals, to better understand ways in which Queensland can utilise its advantages to reposition itself as a leading destination for international education and training in the Asia-Pacific region,” she said.

“Throughout the Summit, we had the opportunity to understand how Queensland is working to address key areas like transport, technology and accommodation to appeal more to international students and help them improve their study and living experiences in Queensland.

“A future Summit is being planned to enable students and industry professionals to review what is working and what can be done further to ensure International Education and Training remains one of Queensland’s largest growth sectors.”

Economic Development Councillor Stephen Robinson said Aileen’s appointment to the Queensland International Student Advisory Panel was a fantastic opportunity to further showcase the Sunshine Coast as an attractive destination to study and find a career.

“Aileen’s appointment to the Queensland International Advisory Panel and her presence at the International Training and Education Summit provides another terrific networking opportunity to promote what the Sunshine Coast has to offer international students,” Cr Robinson said.

“Our region is fast becoming an attractive study destination for more domestic and international students due to our outstanding education, lifestyle, work and career opportunities that are available here.”

International education is now Australia’s third largest export sector, generating more than $21 billion of economic activity and providing many jobs and benefits to both Australian and international students.

On the Sunshine Coast, education and research contributes around $696 million to the local economy with a predicted industry expansion of 50% by 2033. This growth is also reflected by the University of the Sunshine Coast which aims to accommodate 20,000 students by 2020.

USC is one of Australia’s fastest growing universities and TAFE Queensland East Coast has 16,000 students across six locations on the Sunshine Coast and provides around 480 occupational courses. There are also another 400 training organisations operating within our region along with our 73 schools.

International students also attract family and friends to visit the destination where they are studying with research from Tourism Australia indicating that for every one student, three tourists visit Australia.

Study Sunshine Coast ( www.studysunshinecoast.com.au) is an initiative of Sunshine Coast Council, the regional Education and Research Industry Taskforce and the recently formed Education Sunshine Coast. It aims to introduce the 300,000 plus international students who come to study in Australia to the Sunshine Coast and help keep more local students at home for their tertiary education.

Since its launch in April 2016, Study Sunshine Coast continues to promote the Sunshine Coast as a premiere study destination within Australia, encouraging students to consider the study options available to them across the region.