Young leaders welcome international students to Melbourne [16.02.2009]
Thousands of international students are being welcomed and supported with essential information as they make their first steps into Melbourne.
Members of the Committee for Melbourne’s business leadership program Future Focus Group, launched their initiative entitled Connect-ED at Melbourne Airport today, to welcome more than 20,000 international students.
Our CEO Ms Sally Capp hosted the launch of the Student Welcome Desk at the airport, as part of a pilot scheme designed to enhance the arrival experience of international students coming to live and study in Victoria.
“We are responding to the needs of the growing international student population and striving to educate, support and inspire them from the moment they arrive in our city,” Ms Capp said.
Connect-ED team members had identified there was a significant opportunity to improve the quality of experience for international students arriving in Melbourne, as well as to re-establish Melbourne as a city that valued and welcomed its students.
Future Focus Group’s Connect-ED team member, Mr Craig Harris said through this approach we are not only able to provide valuable orientation information to students, but also achieve collaboration across government, the universities and various support groups.
“In doing so, this becomes a signature event that promotes Melbourne’s reputation as a University City and destination of choice for international students.” Mr Harris said.
“We hope this initiative will result in an improved orientation experience to international students on an ongoing basis. We will also seek to gather a database of international student contact details for ongoing communication and the provision of follow-up information, services and support,” he said.
Volunteers will be handing out welcome packs to the international students. These packs provide essential information about welfare services, transport guides, housing and employment options and social integration.
The welcome desk will operate from 6am – 11pm daily during the peak overseas student arrival period, 16-20 February 2009.
This initiaitive is now a collaboration with the Office of Knowledge Capital and the nine unversities in Victoria.