There were only 5038 international students at the University of Tasmania in 2017, but they contributed to a total revenue of $86 million for the tertiary education provider.
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Admissions practices for international students at UTAS are in the spotlight after Four Corners aired a report titled 'Cash Cows' earlier this week.
The report revealed that UTAS admissions staff were using medium of instruction letters as a way of determining a students' English skill.
Medium of instruction letters are used as part of a Visa application but admissions staff have used the letters as evidence of English skill levels and did not follow through with UTAS own standards, which includes English language tests and a written exam.
Since the report aired, UTAS vice chancellor Rufus Black announced the practice would cease immediately and launched a review into admissions practices for international students.
However, the report has thrown into stark relief the reality of the importance of international students for Australian universities, including UTAS, as they move towards a new phase of learning.
UTAS' 2017 annual report stated that due to changes to state nomination supported a further significant increase in student numbers for that year and student fee revenue increased 44 per cent.
Revenue from international students in 2017 grew to a total of $86 million and several initiatives were undertaken to streamline the visa process and encourage more international students.
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Key focus for growth
International students have been a core focus of UTAS for a number of years, with a strategic directions report published last year, authored by Professor Black, stating a number of key objectives to grow the international student population.
"Our state's population of about 500,000 isn't big enough to support a university that operates at the scale and level of excellence that the Tasmanian community requires. Today, more than half the revenue that funds the university comes from outside Tasmania in the form of international students, mainland students taught online or in Sydney, and grants from the Commonwealth and other off-island funders," the report said.
"Our model of being a university needs to adapt to serve the larger number of international students for educational and sustainability reasons. Our international numbers have risen very rapidly, and we have work to do to ensure international students are welcomed and supported as an essential part of the university."
International student numbers have grown six per cent, according to data found in UTAS' 2017 annual report, which is the latest document available on UTAS' website.
Our state's population of about 500,000 isn't big enough to support a university that operates at the scale and level of excellence that the Tasmanian community requires.
- UTAS vice chancellor Rufus Black
Numbers grew from 4261 in 2016 to 5038 in 2017, compared to only a 2 per cent growth in domestic students.
In 2016, there were 16,786.43 domestic students, and in 2017 that number fell to 16,766.28 in 2017.
"The decline in core domestic numbers has largely been masked financially by the rise in international students, but they will always only be attracted to a limited part of our offering. The sustainability of the rest depends on us restoring those numbers in core subjects," Professor Black said in the strategic directions report.
However, since the report, Professor Black announced UTAS would move away from that model as it is 'not part of our future.'
On Monday, Professor Black said UTAS cared intrinsically about its international students but would have a new different focus moving forward.
"In the past we have pursued growth in international students as we sought to lift numbers to something approaching the lower end of the national average," Professor Black said on Monday.
"However, since the release of our strategic directions paper, continuous growth in this area is no longer part of our future."
'Under-funding results in dependence'
However, National Tertiary Education Union Tasmania secretary Kelvin Michael said it was clear that many universities, UTAS included, depended on international students for income.
"This dependence is a consequence of many years of chronic under-funding of universities by the Commonwealth for domestic student load. In these circumstances, full-fee paying students (whether international or domestic) are an effective way for a university to generate income," Mr Michael said.
The issues raised in the report regarding the admissions process, while not new to the NTEU, had sparked a number of inquiries to the union from its members.
"While the program has caused many members to contact our office over the last week with information on international student recruitment and admission practices at UTAS, the reports are consistent with other information gathered in recent years," he said.
"Feedback thus far suggests that corporatisation of UTAS, especially in student recruitment areas, has in part led to softening of the English entrance standards."
Mr Michael repeated the concerns of many who took issue with the program's use of the word 'cash cow' and said it should be noted that international students were valued.
"International students are a key part of UTAS, and contribute greatly to the university as well as to the community. A university needs to be a place where students are exposed to new ideas, and a diverse mix of students broadens the learning process," he said.
He said he believed Four Corners should have not used the term 'cash cow' to title their program and said it didn't bring anything to the debate.
Tasmanian University Union president Sharifah Syed Rohan echoed those sentiments:
"We find that Four Corners' use of the term cash cow' is derogatory and it is crucial to consider
the sacrifices that families abroad make to ensure that their child has the best chance at
succeeding, and also the unique challenges that international students face," she said.
"The Tasmania University Union welcomes international students and believes they play an
imperative role in shaping our social fabric and that they bring a depth of cultural
understanding, knowledge, and experience to our university and communities."
UTAS' new direction
A UTAS spokesman said international students still had a vital place in the educational and social fabric of the university, but changes were being made to diversify that cohort, in terms of where they come from and what they study.
"That diversification, coupled with our work to diversify our domestic student body from within Tasmania and interstate, will be key to the sustainability of the university," the spokesman said.
"We have seen success recently in growing international student numbers in Launceston. Since 2017, we've seen international student commencements in Launceston grow from just under 400 to an estimated 600 in 2019. This comes as we have introduced new, flexible offerings that draw on the city's strengths in business and entrepreneurship."
The spokesman said the new accelerated Bachelor of Business degree had attracted 100 enrolments in its first year, which was largely made up for domestic students.
The Master of Information Technology and Systems, and the Master of Professional Accounting, have been popular with international students.
"International students will remain a crucial part of our community. They make a positive impact on our university learning and research, and a cultural and social impact on Tasmania, including the connections and relationships they help us build across the world."
Both the NTEU and the TUU commended UTAS on its proactive approach following the Four Corners report airing.
"We would like to commend the university's review and will be willing and able to assist where required to ensure that our international student cohort does not face financial distress, isolation, vulnerability, or any other disadvantage as a result of our admissions process," Ms Syed Rohan said.
Mr Michael said the NTEU would be encouraging its members to participate in the review and would be making its own submission.