International Students

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:11): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills a question about international education.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: International students develop an understanding of other cultures that can bring new insight into their own culture as well. The new networks a student develops while studying overseas can be important when seeking employment. Minister, will you inform the chamber about a new film that encourages international students to choose Adelaide as their study destination?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (15:12): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. Last week, it was a great pleasure for me to officially launch Education Adelaide's first study destination film, Destination Adelaide, at the Mercury Cinema. We are seeing more and more students from around the world choosing to live and study in Adelaide, and this film certainly showcases the reasons why students should do that.

The Destination Adelaide film aims to provide an authentic snapshot of a student's life here in Adelaide, from our world-class education to our transport, accommodation, festivals and food. The video also shows international students what they can expect after their arrival in Adelaide and demonstrates the easygoing, accessible, convenient and fun lifestyle we have to offer here in this great state. It is hoped that the film will not only introduce Adelaide but encourage students to consider and subsequently choose Adelaide as their number one destination for study. The international education market is obviously a very important sector to this state's economy. Last year, almost 27,000 international students chose to study in Adelaide, contributing $929 million in export earnings.

I was pleased to see that new student arrivals for semester 1 this year jumped 22 per cent on last year's figures, and we have seen an increase in new arrivals from three of South Australia's top five source countries for international students, with significant increases in new students from China, India and also Vietnam.

It is fitting that, at this time of increasing student numbers, Education Adelaide has taken steps to develop a campaign and a video that reaches out to new students to continue to boost the rising number of international students already choosing to stay and study here. I understand that this video was produced as a direct result of student feedback and from ongoing feedback and collaboration from Education Adelaide members.

It is hoped that an accompanying social media campaign and competition will help spark wide distribution of the film and encourage international students to share their own Adelaide highlights. As well as sparking wide distribution of the film, overseas students can 'Like' and share the video on Facebook to be in the running for prizes while, for the local competition, students in Adelaide will be encouraged to create their own 'My Adelaide' short films.

This government is committed to increasing the number of international students that come to South Australia because we know that they contribute to improving South Australia's intercultural competence and also research, social, political, trade and diplomatic capabilities, while of course adding to Adelaide's cultural diversity and character. I would certainly encourage all members in the chamber to view this new video, Destination Adelaide. It is online at studyadelaide.com