Pearson’s International Student Advisory Board (ISAB) will serve as a platform to amplify student voices and strengthen collaboration between students, education providers, industry and government, the organisation said in a statement announcing its launch.
The ISAB will seek to introduce practical recommendations more directly into sector conversations about student success, employability and belonging.
The Board brings together a group of recognised international student leaders, advocates and community connectors with lived experience of studying, working and building a life in Australia.
“International students bring enormous talent, ambition and perspective to Australia,” said Matthew Lampkin, director, PTE Asia-Pacific.
“Through the International Student Advisory Board, we want to elevate the student voice and create a practical forum where their lived experience can help inform better decisions across education, employability and community participation.”
Speaking to The PIE News, Lampkin said that one of the reasons for the creation of the ISAB was to ensure that students remain “at the front and centre” of the organisation’s offering.
Members include current and former international student ambassadors, student council leaders, national student representatives, award winners, peer mentors, content creators and public speakers.
Collectively, they bring experience across student advocacy, university leadership, community engagement, employability, peer support and international student storytelling.
“International students should have a genuine voice in the decisions that shape their journeys,” said Ojaswi Shrestha, ISAB member and student at the University of Western Australia.
Ngou Cheng (Ocean) Vong from the University of Melbourne hopes that “through Pearson’s global reach and influence, we can elevate international student voices, encourage more meaningful conversations, and help institutions better understand how they can support international students not only to succeed academically, but also to thrive, feel a sense of belonging, and contribute meaningfully to their communities”
Pearson said this breadth of experience is central to the Board’s purpose, not only in surfacing student perspectives, but in translating those perspectives into constructive recommendations for institutions, employers, professional bodies, government and the wider sector.
Rather than treating student voice as a one-off consultation, the Board is designed as an ongoing forum for students to share what helps them succeed, where barriers remain, and how the sector can better support international students from pre-arrival through to study, work and community participation.
The first ISAB insight paper has been released, titled ‘From Proficiency to Participation’, and highlights how how confidence, Australian communication styles, cultural context, academic participation, belonging and trusted navigation can shape whether students are able to use their English confidently after arrival.
It also asks whether the sector is creating enough meaningful opportunities for students to use their English in real academic, social and professional settings, from tutorials and group work to placements, workplaces, friendships and everyday life.
Pearson said the Advisory Board will continue to meet and generate student-led insights and recommendations for the sector.
