AUIDF Minutes of Meeting 1. WELCOME & APOLOGIES. 19 July 2013 Charles Darwin University, Darwin. Present. Kate Myles (AUIDF Executive Officer)

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1 AUIDF Minutes of Meeting 19 July 2013 Charles Darwin University, Darwin Present Jo Asquith Chair (JCU) Chris Riley (ACU) Oliver Fortescue (CQU) Gensheng Shen (ECU) Nicole Brigg (Griffith) Sunny Yang (Monash) Rongyu Li (RMIT) Greg Simmons (Ballarat) Gabrielle Rolan (UNE) Brett Blacker (Newcastle) Martin van Run (USQ) Tze Ay Chuah (UTS) dialled in Jo Byng (USW) Kate Myles (AUIDF Executive Officer) Monica Turvey (CDU) Janelle Entwistle (ANU) Ben Stubbs (Deakin) Virginia Pattingale (Flinders) Nicola Bate (Macquarie) Ray Kelly (QUT) Monty Singh (SCU) Carmel Murphy (Melbourne) Alek Voninski (UNSW) Rachel Perkin (UniSA) Jay Jayatilaka (Sydney) Kelly Smith (UWA) Carolyn Chong (VU) 1. WELCOME & APOLOGIES The Chair welcomed the group to Darwin and thanked Monica Turvey and her staff for the assistance in hosting both this meeting and the AUIDF workshop. Apologies were accepted from: John McPartland (Bond) Jerome Ho (ANU) Janelle Entwistle replacing Simon Ridings (Curtin) Abizer Merchant (La Trobe) Philip Payne (Murdoch) Melissa Banks (Swinburne) Joanne Barker (Adelaide) Glenys London (Canberra) Andrew Everett (UQ) Andrew Holloway (UTas) Emi Tamba (USC) Peter Day (Wollongong) Yi-Chen Lan (UWS) Jo Byng replacing Steve Berridge (VU) Carolyn Chong replacing The Chair announced the new members since the last meeting: Oliver Fortescue (CQU) Simon Ridings (Curtin) Glenys London (UC) Andrew Holloway (UTas) 1

2 It was noted that the following people are currently acting members: Ben Stubbs (Deakin) Rachel Perkin (UniSA) Nicola Bate (Macquarie) The Chair presented the Directorsʼ Responsibilities matrix, which was updated to include student and intranet systems used. Also presented was a new matrix, which contained the innovations presented and discussed at the AUIDF workshop, AUIDF mentoring and the blue-sky ideas. These would be circulated for completion. 2. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES The minutes from previous meeting confirmed by Carmel Murphy (Melbourne) and seconded by Monica Turvey (CDU).. 3. BUSINESS ARISING No business arising from the previous minutes. 4. OTHER BUSINESS After a call for other business, it was requested that the following item be added to the agenda: Australian Awards Scholarship 5. BENCHMARKING 2013 in 2013 Rob Lawrence presented the data on behalf of Alan Olsen from SPRE. The benchmark findings across all sections including country costs, cost and yield, conversion and scholarships were reported. The presentation would be made available on the AUIDF website. It was noted that responses for the Mobility Study were due on 2 August AUIDF RESEARCH UPDATE Rob Lawrence updated members on the progress of the AUIDF Graduate Employability Research project, which Prospect Research was commissioned to prepare on behalf of the membership. As part of the update, Rob presented a sample of interim results and highlighted the objective and methodology used. Rob presented examples of best practice in the United Kingdom, offered some general observations and put together a wish-list for improving the employment outcomes of international graduates who have elected to study in Australia. Prior to the final report being presented to the AUIDF, Rob and his team would be finalising discussions with Australian universities careers offices and alumni, complete interviews with Australian employers and distribute an online survey. 7. AUSTRADE UPDATE 2

3 Tracy Harris advised members that she had received a posting to Singapore and would be handing over her current portfolio to another member of Austrade later in the year. This would include NAFSA 2014 and as a result, it was requested a decision about the Australian Pavilion layout for San Diego be made. Tracy presented a recommendation for an open plan table style layout without the hanging Australia sign. The sign cost for hanging and air space was around $10,000, so it was suggested the group consider not using the sign and opt for signage on the outside of the pavilion. After discussion it was agreed that decision would be made later, once the position within the pavilion was know. It was also agreed that the group would further discuss the open plan, allowing members not present to contribute to the discussion. The NAG members would advise Austrade of the outcome within the next two weeks. Tracy outlined the digital campaign and global competition that Austrade are currently undertaking. The scholarship mix for this campaign was explained and Tracy advised the group that there were still three silver spaces available. Interested universities were advised to contact Austrade for further detail. 8. IEAA UPDATE Phil Honeywood from IEAA attending the meeting and presented an industry update, including the current issues being handled by the Education Visa Consultative Committee. The other areas covered included: the upcoming Federal election, joint lobbying by peak bodies, state and territory government strategies, Chaney implementation issues and the Asia White Century Paper. The issue around students no longer requiring release letters was raised and a few members commented on how this was becoming a problem. It was suggested that those members experiencing this issue should the Executive Officer and a collective response would be sent through to IEAA. Phil circulated a joint communique action plan for the industry addressed to the Australian Government from all the peak bodies. 9. AUSTRALIA/CHINA CAREER DEVELOPMENT Brett Blacker (Newcastle) circulated a copy of the Online Portal Proposal for the Australia China Career Development Strategy. Brett gave an overview of the proposal and the objectives, the main one being connecting returning graduates with employers in China. Brett also advised the group that the intention today was to gauge interest in the project before moving forward to developing a funding model. It was confirmed that this would be open to the graduate community to access employment in China not just Chinese students returning home. After some discussion, it was agreed in principle to move the project forward and a group consisting of Brett Blacker (Newcastle), Carmel Murphy (Melbourne), Rachel Perkin (UniSA), Alek Voninski (UNSW) and Tze Ay Chuah would assist in working through the funding model and preparing a recommendation for the DVC International Committee. 10. EXECUTIVE REPORTS 3

4 Tracy McCabe Fellowship Update The AUIDF Executive Officer provided an update on the fellowship for 2013 and asked members to consider nominating staff for the award. The Chair provided a history of the award and advised members that nominations would close on 30 August Compliance WG Update Sunny Yang (Monash) updated the group on recent communications from DIAC, to be circulated via Executive Officer. There was discussion concerning the student visa health assessment delays with significant build up in some posts. Phil Honeywood (IEAA) agreed to raise this with the EVCC. Admissions Online Training Update Gabrielle Rolan (UNE) circulated the usage from PIER and advised that the site was being underutilised. A request was put forward for a new set of Admission Managers to move the project forward through the next phase, which would involve individual university customisation options and also a review of the current data. Interested members were asked to contact the Executive Officer. NAFSA Advisory Group Update Kelly Smith (UWA) presented the survey results from all Australian attendees at NAFSA It was noted that overall positive feedback was received for the Australian Pavilion, Pre-NAFSA sessions and the Australian Universities Reception. The Chair mentioned that a paper was being prepared by the AUIDF outlining the Austrade support and participation the industry would appreciate at the key international events NAFSA, APAIE and EAIE. Kelly requested a show of hands for the open plan booth as presented by Austrade earlier in the meeting and the majority of members agreed to this model. It was decided that an would be circulated to all members requesting a commitment and feedback on the proposal before confirming with Austrade. It was announced that the Australian Universities Reception would be held on the USS Midway. The Chair of UA had been approached regarding sensitivities around the venue and the feedback was it was fine to go ahead. A commitment from members on participation in the Australian Universities Reception would also be sought via . A show of hands showed that the majority of members were planning attending APAIE in 2014 and an agenda item in October would be needed to cover this further. Treasurers Report Virginia Pattingale updated members on the current financial status of the AUIDF and advised that the invoicing for 2014 would be prepared and distributed by JCU Finance in October. It was announced that all fees and subscriptions invoiced would be raised by 3%, raising the AUIDF subscription to $3,050. Those present agreed this was acceptable. 4

5 An increase of 3% in cost the various studies from SPRE was raised and resulted in questions around revisiting the presentation of the data collection and benchmarking reports. It was suggested a dashboard layout would be a preferred model for the presentation of the data. It was agreed that a group would form to review and discuss further with SPRE. Brett Blacker (Newcastle), Alek Voninski (UNSW), Monty Singh (SCU), Oliver Fortescue (CQU) and John Tan (UWA) would participate in this activity. 11. DIRECTORS DISCUSSION AusAID Brett Blacker (Newcastle) led discussions, with Tze Ay Chuah (UTS) who dialled into the meeting via video conferencing, on issues around AusAID. These included compliance aspects introduced without consultation, expectations of services and welfare incidents. It was noted that there are other groups discussing this including SOUL (Society of University Lawyers). It was agreed members should forward issues through to the Executive Officer for collation. Kelly Smith (UWA) agreed to liaise with SOUL and update the group if necessary. 12. AOB The October meeting in Canberra was discussed and it was agreed that considering the IEAA Workshops were being held on Tuesday 8 October, the meeting could be on Monday 7 October, a public holiday in QLD, NSW, VIC and ACT, if a suitable venue could be found. The Executive Officer would liaise with Phil Honeywood, who, volunteered to assist with a venue. The meeting concluded at 3:15pm 5