University of Melbourne statement on international student caps
University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Professor Duncan Maskell has made the following statement in response to today’s announcement about international student caps by the Education Minister, Jason Clare.
“The University of Melbourne received information about the indicative cap to be imposed on international students at the same time as the Minister was making his public announcement. We are now taking time to assess the financial and other implications of this cap.
“One of the first things we will have to do is seek clarity from the Government about the complex methodology that was used to inform their figures. This methodology was never discussed with us and there has been no consultation process.
“The University remains strongly opposed to this cap on international student enrolments. It is staggering that we continue to have this debate while there is apparently no serious intent to address really major reform issues.
“There is no plan concerning abolishing Job Ready Graduates and replacing it with a new system to fund teaching that is fair to students and actually covers the cost to the University of teaching those students. We currently have to subsidise teaching costs.
“There is no plan to reform research funding to address the full economic cost of doing the research on which the nation depends for its future prosperity and place in the world. We currently have to subsidise a large proportion of the cost of research. These are the key issues that should be addressed, not international student numbers.
“The cap on international students will have detrimental consequences for our University, the higher education sector generally, and the nation for years to come. The effects will be felt by students and staff, in terms of inadequate funding to teach and do research, and by industry partners, and there will also be negative effects on the broader economy.
“Already, Ministerial Directive 107 and the increase in the visa charge have injected unprecedented uncertainty into our international recruitment activities. These unwelcome measures have drastically reduced demand, leading to significantly fewer enrolments, and significant financial losses, even before the announcement of the caps.
“International education is a prized national asset, contributing significantly to Australia’s social and diplomatic success, and something about which we should be proud.
“The proposal to arbitrarily cap international students at universities puts this position at serious risk – it will harm all students, domestic and international, and jeopardise the sector’s reputation and long-term sustainability.”
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