Chinese New Year 2018 festivities include events run by ISLA ambassadors for international students Wellbeing We measure wellbeing using indicators such as physical and mental health, and social connection. Problems such as homesickness, mental illness, exam-related stress and workplace exploitation all affect wellbeing. It is our plan to assist students to overcome these problems by helping them connect with government agencies and participate in the community. Our initiatives recognise factors that contribute to a sense of safety, including language, culture, work and social connection. We recognise that international students may struggle to find affordable housing and may need special support to understand customs, and cultural and lifestyle differences as they settle into our community. We will work hard to tackle these issues, supporting students so that they have a safe and rewarding study experience. Where possible, we will aid students with advice on choosing safe housing options. We will also give advice on personal safety and access to relevant support networks. Work-integrated learning An important consideration when choosing a study destination is the opportunity to gain professional experience while studying, termed ‘work-integrated learning’. To help with this, we will develop opportunities for students to gain meaningful work experience with an industry or community partner. We will work with stakeholders to generate vocational placements, internships, industry- and community-based learning, and volunteering. This will help strengthen connections between students and their local communities. We will increase awareness among businesses of the contribution international students can make to their enterprises. This will increase the employability of graduates, support Sydney’s global talent pool and strengthen our international connections.
10 Measuring success Overview The actions set out in this plan are intended to encourage a flourishing international education sector. We understand that other factors are also at play, such as global economic conditions, Australia’s policies, technological trends, and the actions of individual students and education providers. Nevertheless, it is important to understand and monitor trends in the sector and use this information to review and influence priorities and actions. Indicator framework We have developed a community indicator framework to measure wellbeing. It covers social, economic, environmental, cultural and governance conditions in our local area. The indicators we have devised to monitor changes in the international education sector will be linked with the City’s broader community indicators for dynamic, resilient local economies; and healthy, safe and inclusive communities. Performance measures We will examine quantitative and qualitative indicators to the success of the actions in this plan. Our indicators will not be absolute measures of performance, but rather signal trends in the sector. We may be able to compare the results we generate with Australian and NSW statistics on the education sector. However, we will not be able to tell whether the local sector is outperforming or underperforming against state or national trends. Our libraries offer a quiet place to study Memorandums of understanding To measure the success of the memorandums of understanding we have drawn up with major universities, we will focus on the annual program of projects put forward. We will produce an annual report summarising the projects and their outcomes. Generally, the number of projects completed will indicate the effectiveness of the memorandums of understanding. The success of each individual project will be tracked using project-specific indicators, as well as qualitatively analysed when completed. International student support We will use quantitative and qualitative indicators to track the effectiveness of our support and services for international students. We will track the number of initiatives delivered to support international students each year. We will use specific indicators to the success of each initiative, and qualitatively analyse them as they are completed. To measure student safety, we will work with stakeholders such as the NSW Police Force to track incidents involving international students each year. International education research data The number of international students enrolled nationally can be estimated by looking at the number of student visas granted. Tracking enrolments at a local area level is difficult; however, we can track numbers through individual educational institutions. Tracking the country of origin of international students who choose Sydney will allow us to measure the effectiveness of our targeted promotional campaigns.
12 Appendix 1: Actions Welcoming What will we do? How will we do it? Partners Ongoing Now Next Later Welcome and orientate newly arrived international students 1.1 Develop a ‘welcome program’, will include: –Greeting international students on arrival; for example, StudyNSW coordinating the running of the welcome desk at Sydney Airport –Hosting the official welcome for international students Education providers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ✓ –Informing international students about the city and participating in student orientation events hosted by education providers –Promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture to international students to deepen their understanding of Sydney; for example, through the official welcome Strengthen alumni networks and connections 1.2 Explore opportunities to provide alumni programs for international graduates ✓ Promote Sydney’s strengths as a leading education destination 1.3 Attract students through increasing awareness of Sydney as a leading education destination by: –Participating in trade missions coordinated by stakeholders –Leveraging our sister city relationships NSW Govt Sister cities Business Events Sydney ✓
Wellbeing What will we do? How will we do it? Partners Ongoing Now Next Later Raise awareness of safe accommodation choices 2.1 Coordinate a whole-of-sector approach to addressing illegal accommodation within the local area Education providers NSW Police Force Accom- modation providors Redfern Legal Centre ✓ 2.2 Inform international students of their rights and responsibilities when accessing housing Redfern Legal Centre ✓ Engage on personal safety matters 2.3 Develop international student safety campaigns to increase actual and perceived safety, such as by: –Publishing crime prevention resources in community languages Education providers NSW Police Force ✓ –Attending events hosted by education providers to share these resources –Facilitating safety information sessions with the police area commands Provide access to health and wellbeing resources 2.4 Develop and share information and services for students related to accommodation, safety, health (e.g. mental, sexual and reproductive health) counselling, employment, transport, recreation and social connections by: Service providers Education providers Redfern Legal Centre ✓ –Using our communication channels including the international student pages on our website –Enhancing our welcome program and other events that enable service providers to showcase their services –Using channels provided by education and accommodation providers, and services frequented by international students –Provide more culturally sensitive and multi-language information resources
2.5 Explore the creation of a shop of information and services for the wellbeing of international students, in partnership with stakeholders StudyNSW Redfern Legal Centre ✓ 2.6 Support education providers and other stakeholders to collaborate, share information and offer wellbeing resources to students; for example, through the annual international education provider forum Education providers StudyNSW NSW Police Force ✓ Build a dialogue with international students 2.7 Conduct research into international student wellbeing example, through the International Student Wellbeing Survey – to measure the perceived wellbeing of international students in our local area and incorporate this feedback into decisions about how to support them UTS ✓ Encourage student participation in city life 2.8 Promote the facilities and programs offered in our community venues, libraries and sports facilities to encourage international students to make the most of Sydney’s cultural and recreational life ✓ 2.9 Explore opportunities to enhance the experience of students living in our area to promote cultural exchange and integration ✓ 2.10 Explore opportunities to communicate environmental sustainability to international students ✓