27 Mar, 2014
Red carpet welcome for surge in new international students
Adelaide Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood is about to officially welcome one of Adelaide’s largest ever cohorts of new international students to the city.
Hundreds of Adelaide’s newest international students will flood into Adelaide Town Hall for the annual Lord Mayor’s Welcome party on Thursday. These students – who represent about 125 countries – will receive a personal welcome from the Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood.
Education Adelaide chief executive Stephen Connelly says this year’s welcome event will also celebrate the fact that South Australian campuses have experienced a surge in new international enrolments.
‘The green shoots first seen for the industry last year have flourished and we’re seeing a big increase in students choosing Adelaide as a study destination,’ Mr Connelly says. ‘Education Adelaide members have already reported significant increases in new student arrivals for Semester 1 this year.’
Education Adelaide has distributed almost 3000 welcome backpacks to Adelaide’s colleges, universities and schools for the newest international student intake.
The Lord Mayor’s Welcome is part of a year-long program of free activities and events organised by Education Adelaide to ensure that students from around the world feel at home in Adelaide. Last year 700 students attended the event.
‘Adelaide has been voted fifth most liveable city two years running so there is no doubt in my mind that Adelaide is a great place for international students to further their education,’ the Lord Mayor says.
‘The sheer numbers of students returning to Adelaide to continue their studies speaks volumes, not only for the education they are receiving, but also for Adelaide as a great place to live, study and work.’
In 2013 a total of almost 27,000 international students were enrolled to study in Adelaide. International education was SA’s largest service sector export and sixth largest export earner contributing $879M to the local economy.
For media enquiries for Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood contact the Adelaide Counctil Media Relations team on 8203 7800.