VIRTUAL EVENT: Higher education and COVID-19 in Australia

The pandemic in Australia is less severe than in the United States and much of Europe, but does experience outbreaks. The nation is protecting itself by restricting and regulating incoming traffic. 

Before a vaccine is developed, face-to-face international education is unlikely to return to the numbers before the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of this, Australian universities are expecting their income to be affected, forcing restructuring and impacting industrial relations.

The Australian government has kept funding for domestic students, while requiring universities to introduce new six-month courses in vocational areas to improve unemployment. 

Despite the fact that they are financing public goods such as research, the government have not provided compensation for lost international student income. 

How are Australian universities coping with their challenges? Will Australia restore its role in international education? Will Australia become more engaged in its region or less? What will be the future Australian model and mission in higher education? 

Speakers

• Margaret Gardner, Monash University
• Laurie Pearcey, University of New South Wales
• Fazal Rizvi, University of Melbourne

Links 

• Centre for Global Higher Education
• Department of Education, Practice and Society

Image: Hugo Heimendinger via Pexels