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Universities Australia announces 10-point action plan for student safety
Melbourne:
Universities Australia has adopted a ten point action plan for student safety
from recommendations developed by the Deputy and Pro Vice-Chancellors (International)
from Australian universities, as part of a meeting convened by Universities Australia
in Canberra on June 4 and 5. The plan emphasises strong law enforcement plus necessary
complementary actions. University leaders met with members of the Canberra diplomatic
community during the meeting, and guests included the Indian High Commissioner
to Australia Mrs Sujatha Singh, as well as Commonwealth officials. Universities
Australia 's Lead Vice-Chancellor (International) Professor Daryl Le Grew, Vice-Chancellor
of the University of Tasmania , also addressed the meeting. "The meeting affirmed
the crucial importance of international integration through education. It unreservedly
condemned the deplorable attacks that have been reported involving international
students studying at Australian universities or at vocational education and training
institutions, both public and private," Universities Australia's Chief Executive
Dr Glenn Withers said today. "Universities believe that the situation requires
a national response and close cooperation between all education providers and
the Commonwealth government, state authorities, foreign governments and their
diplomatic representatives and other partners, to find solutions which will enhance
the total educational experience including ensuring the present and future safety
of all students," Dr Withers said. The adoption of this action plan follows longer-standing
advocacy for such measures by Universities Australia, more recent Universities
Australia statements of condemnation of the attacks on international students,
and support for new Commonwealth Government international education initiatives.
In relation to the recent violent incidents, Universities Australia welcomes the
response from the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Foreign Affairs
Minister, the Minister for Trade, the Leader of the Opposition, and State Premiers.
"To implement this plan, the University sector is ready to be involved in working
with national and state/territory authorities and other stakeholders such as other
education providers, community representatives and those who employ student workers,"
Dr Withers said.
The 10-point
action plan is as follows:
1.
Support proactive, preventive approaches to assuring student safety; and collaborate
with local law enforcement authorities to increase levels of security including
through improved cultural awareness and via increased visibility of police and
security officers in locations where international students study, work, travel
and live, and with suitable complaints bodies being in place to respond to concerns
over inaction.
2. Work with diplomatic
missions and the Australian government to streamline and enhance existing reporting
processes for missions regarding student safety. At the same time work in partnership
with Australia 's own diplomatic posts as required, developing fully integrated
communication processes to advise and support students on living and studying
in Australia upon receipt of their student visas.
3.
Cooperate with governments, local authorities and housing industry representatives
to ensure the availability of sufficient affordable and secure accommodation for
all students including international students upon arrival. Consider innovative
finance mechanisms to assist both the students and the construction arrangements
e.g. a Fund akin to the Education Investment Fund to support this at appropriately
sustainable levels.
4. Advocate
that all state and territory authorities immediately make available travel concessions
for all students to help enhance their safety and security when moving between
campuses, accommodation and workplaces, and improve public transport safety for
all, and encourage employer and union support for assuring safe travel conditions
for student workers.
5. Sustain
and expand the current provision of information by all education providers on
student security and safety from pre-departure programs, arrival and orientation
through to graduation; and encourage students themselves to act on this information
by taking safety precautions whenever possible. 6.
Reinforce strategies for the integration of students of all nationalities and
backgrounds on our campuses and in our communities, and promote a greater understanding
of international cultures and languages in Australia through collaboration between
the Australian Government, overseas governments and international agencies.
7.
Cooperate with authorities in student source countries to ensure that university
recruitment agents accurately represent all aspects of the international student
experience, including safety aspects and the cost of living, and ensure that visa
issue by Australian authorities is focussed on genuine and suitable educational
objectives.
8. Enhance campus-based
student support programs in health, child care, counselling, and employment services
and expand specific safety programs including through ongoing input from local
authorities, such as police commands, road and traffic authorities, real estate
institutes and employers. Passage of the Student Services and Amenities Bill by
the current parliament would assist this process immeasurably. 9. Encourage campus
and national student leadership to take a pro-active role in representing and
supporting international students to enable them to raise important issues regarding
the quality of the student experience.
10.
Engage strongly in the forthcoming ESOS review and establishment of TEQSA to ensure
that appropriate accreditation and quality assurance of all international education
providers in Australia is guaranteed, including via strong and effective enforcement
mechanisms. The action plan adopted here anticipates a further more detailed Position
Paper on the Student Experience and Student Safety to be issued shortly by Universities
Australia.
