Flinders University’s strengths in international education have seen international enrolments increase by 70% over the past four years – eclipsing state and national averages – while the number of Flinders students undertaking international study experiences has increased by 500% over the same period.
This immense growth and the University’s achievements in preparing students for the global workplace were recognised last night, with Flinders taking out the 2018 Business SA Export Award in the Education and Training category.
The win acknowledged Flinders University’s rapidly increasing onshore enrolments from China, India, Nepal, South Asia and Africa as a result of an overhaul of its international strategy four years ago.
It reflects effective investments such as Flinders’ outstanding international centre which is consistently ranked within Australia’s top universities for academic and personal support, and its university strengths that are valued by domestic and international students alike.
In accepting the award, Sebastian Raneskold, Vice-President and Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) at Flinders said “We’ve invested in technology, we’ve focused on the teaching strengths that are attractive to our international neighbours, we’ve exceeded expectations for welcoming international students and we’ve grown our relationships including offshore programs across China, Singapore and Malaysia.
“These efforts have reaped enormous rewards for our university, but also for South Australia.”
An international student population provides all students with opportunities to learn and prepare for the global workplace, while enriching the broader community and contributing to State economic growth.
Mr Raneskold says Flinders University has embraced a holistic approach to international engagement from its earliest days.
“There’s no doubt our rich history and cross-border relationships laid the foundation for our burgeoning international reputation, but in recent years our team have worked incredibly hard to elevate our international credentials, so it’s an honour for the University to be recognised for these achievements.”
Flinders University has a growing student population of 27,000, including 5,000 international students who come from more than 90 countries.
Mr Raneskold says Flinders University’s student-centred ethos and emphasis on preparing students for the future were instrumental in shaping the university’s attractiveness to international students.
“This underlines all of our activities, from empowering students with a global mindset, to vigilantly and constantly reviewing the courses we offer, or providing quality practicums and placements – these are valuable to students wherever they live in the world.”
