Australia is determined to turn around the fortunes of its once-bright -star, international education. Now, a hip animated video is being disseminated to potential students worldwide via an iPad app, the Study in Australia website and at education events.
Plugging the cool vote, Australian Education: A Future Unlimited is a pretty good animated video featuring a sound track produced by Johnny Green; a big name in Australia and produced by the same producers as the film Happy Feet. Released this week, the video had already had over 1,000 views when The PIE News took a look.
“An Australian education equips people with the knowledge, skills and networks that will last a lifetime — and gives every student that studies with us the foundation they need for a Future Unlimited” chirrups the message behind the two-minute movie.
Austrade, the export promotion arm behind the Future Unlimited brand, wants to ensure Australia is seen as a high quality provider of education services, not just a “great place to live while studying”.
The video’s key selling points are: welcoming, diverse campuses; world-class institutions; emerging new technologies; globally recognised qualifications and graduate work opportunities. It will be showcased in an updated Australia Unlimited app that is released on February 29.
Trade Minister Craig Emerson said international education fostered closer social and commercial links between Australia and its trading partners while cultivating life-long ambassadors for Australia. “A memorable student experience in Australia is priceless in the promotion of our international education services,” he said.
International education is Australia’s third-largest export, generating AUS$16 billion in export income and employing around 180,000 people. It has suffered a decline in student numbers however (15% down in 2011) and is enacting significant reforms to the sector, including easing work rights for international students while the UK tightens access to its employment market at the same time.
