Council of International Students Australia (CISA)

THOMSON CH’NGNATIONAL PRESIDENT

Thank You Thank you for the opportunity for the voice of CISA to be heard at this event.

I am Tong Sheng Ch’ng, 2013/2014 National President of CISA but everyone calls me Thomson.

About CISAThe Council of International Students Australia (CISA) is the national peak student representative body for all international students studying in Australia. The main purpose of CISA is to:• Advocate for the interests and needs of

international students• Advocate for high quality education for

international students• Facilitate network building (and business

development) among stakeholders with an interest in supporting international students

Key Activities • Host an annual national forum for International

Students, Government and the International Education Industry

• Provide a means of consulting and engaging with international students

• Host future international student roundtable events in partnership with various government entities

• Promote cross-cultural awareness and interactions in Australia

• Advocate for equitable, non-racist, non-discriminatory law reform and practices concerning international students

Good Practice Program• Designed to guide Education Providers on

‘best practice’ within the sector, with a focus on enhancing a ‘positive student experience’ and attracting more and higher quality students to Australia

• CISA is seeking commitment to the program from industry stakeholders

‘Good Practice’ Summary Checklist • Recruitment

o Contracted credible Agents with transparent arrangementso Agents being discouraged from taking payments/commissions for

accommodation, student welfare and OSHCo Prospective students being provided with trends regarding

opportunities for employment related to education course • Pre-arrival and post-arrival Information

o Evidence of an accountable online comprehensive pre-departure ‘living and studying in Australia’ orientation program accessible to all international students from pre-arrival to end of visa

o Multiple language translations available in pre-arrival orientation program

o After hours support line 24/7 for international students post-arrival

Student Welcome Services• An initiative of Allianz Global Assistance, student

welcome services aims to enhance the student experience by providing thorough pre and post arrival orientation and education

• CISA contributed to the development of SWS and proudly supports the initiative

www.studentwelcomeservices.com.au

‘Good Practice’ Summary Checklist • Upon Arrival

o Ensure students are appropriately welcomed o Encourage airport transfers

• Accommodationo Ensure recommendations are qualified and meet

industry standards (e.g. homestay)o Ensure referrals for rental accommodation have

been vetted o Institutions support for students being

disadvantaged in accommodation

‘Good Practice’ Summary Checklist • Transport

o Education provider support for international student discounts inline with domestic students

o Transparency in cost of transportation pre-acceptance

• Under 18 Welfareo Ensure that the guardian/welfare provider is

professional and independent of institution and accommodation provider

‘Good Practice’ Summary Checklist • Managing Post-study options

o Commitment to exiting students outcomes and options o Commitment to reducing visa extension costso Assistance with reverse culture shock for students returning

home• Enhancement of positive student experience

o Ongoing support for promoting international students as employees and support with fair work practices

o Assistance with integration and acceptance of international students in the community

o Commitment to the international students voice in Australia and staff and student representation at the CISA Conference

Education Providers• Institutions adopting the key elements of

the CISA Good Practice Program will receive a marketing advantage through being able to use the CISA endorsement globally

• CISA would like to work with education providers to help build their business by continual work on their good, better, best practice initiatives

Moving Forward• CISA is visiting Education Providers and peak

bodies across the country to present and seek commitment to the Good Practice Program

• CISA will review the program regularly to ensure that it continues to address current international student issues within the industry

“I am not Australian, but I have an Australian story”

• An initiative of the Council of International Students Australia (CISA) http://www.cisastories.net.au/index.html

• This project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship through the Diversity and Social Cohesion Program

• Officially launched at CISA’s National Conference in July 2013

My Story Project Continued..

• It is designed to raise awareness about international students’ presence and their participation in and contribution to the Australian community

• The project highlights the voluntary and social development work international students are involved in, as well as the way they advocate for other students.

• In the project videos, students tell their own stories, describe the challenges and opportunities they see and express their feelings towards Australia.

My Story Project Continued..

• At CISA’s National Conference we filmed students during the lunch break

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=EHvWIUYru1o

• There are 3 more lunchtime snapshots currently and more will be added

• Tell your friends and students!

www.cisa.edu.au/cisastories

“My Study, My Career” Snapshots

Snapshots continued…

Thank you and Questions

Council of International Students Australia (CISA)

www.cisa.edu.au