Page 2267 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 16 August 2006
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can provide practical advice about course choices and study. Importantly, mentors are often involved in helping students settle into Canberra, which I am told involves passing on key information like where to get the best coffee on campus and what time the uni bar closes!
Both ANU and UC student associations have international student officers who help organise various events for international students and represent international student concerns on student councils. These officers are vital in ensuring that the welfare of international students is cared for and providing fundamental services like organising visa information for them.
I am sorry to say that it is likely that international student numbers may decrease in coming years. What is even more disappointing is that these welfare support services are under threat. The Howard government’s voluntary student unionism laws have taken effect this university semester and may totally undermine campus life. However, these laws will not just hurt Australian students—they will also undermine the vital services I have mentioned which international students rely on.
Statistics from the Department of Education, Science and Training show that the number of international students enrolled between 1997 and 2002 in Western Australia was significantly lower than throughout the rest of Australia. The national liaison committee believes that these numbers show a negative growth in the industry that was directly attributable to the introduction of VSU in Western Australia at that time. Indeed, during debate before these detrimental laws were introduced, the Australian Vice-Chancellors Committee warned that VSU would deter international students. Australian Vice-Chancellors Committee CEO John Mullarvey has warned:
Making student association payments voluntary will lead to the certain demise of many students services, and for international students who rely upon the services that are available during their time of study in Australia, this could be detrimental.
Mr Mullarvey went on to say:
If student services are no longer available, studying in Australia will become increasingly difficult and an unattractive option to international students.
I remain at a loss as to why the Howard government chose to implement this voluntary student unionism legislation. There has been much debate on this issue, and the damage to domestic student welfare and the university experience has been highlighted time and time again. I feel that by introducing VSU the Howard government has done a great disservice to the international students who study in this country.
As I have already said, international education injects about $7.5 billion into the Australian economy each year, and yet the international students of the ACT are having services which they both need and deserve stripped away. International students need the educational assistance provided by student organisations in the form of tutors and English conversational classes like those I have just mentioned. International students need the social interaction with Australian students provided by the student mentors and campus events like Harmony Day. International students need the cultural support provided by international student officers and cultural clubs on campuses, and
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