International students flock to Adelaide

Thursday, 3 August 2006

The University of Adelaide has recorded a 20% growth in commencing international student enrolments for Semester 2 compared with the same intake in 2005.

The increase means that University's strategic target for international students by 2008 has been met two years ahead of schedule - and augers well for the achievement of the State Government's Strategic Plan objective to double South Australia's share of overseas students in Australia by 2013.

University of Adelaide Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) Professor John Taplin said the sustained growth in the University's international students was "remarkable" and consistently well above the increase for universities nationally. Australian universities overall have increased their international enrolments by just 5% in the past year.

"China has been the frontrunner in terms of these international student numbers, rising from 109 students in 2002 to more than 1750 in 2006," Professor Taplin said.

"The University is also pleased to see increases from many other countries around the world. We place a high value on the cultural diversity of our students. It greatly enriches the student experience on our campuses in Adelaide."

"Other countries contributing to the University's international student growth in the past five years include India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Vietnam."

Professor Taplin attributes this success to the international reputation and relevance of the University's research and teaching programs, the exceptional achievements of its alumni in Asia and elsewhere, and the affordability and quality of life in Adelaide.

Statistics from the Economist Intelligence Unit released this week show that it costs 18% less to live in Adelaide than Australia's most expensive city, Sydney. Melbourne is 17% more expensive and it costs students 6% more to live in Brisbane and Perth.

"There is every reason to be confident that our international student numbers will continue to grow, given new partnership arrangements with Tsinghua University in Beijing, the developing market in India and the expansion of the Australian Government's AusAID scholarship program," Professor Taplin said.

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