ACT International Student Ambassador Program

The ACT International Student Ambassador Program was established as part of the ACT Government’ s strategic business development initiatives. The Program aims to assist the Government’s trade, migration and investment facilitation objectives through capturing and leveraging off the global opportunities from the significant number of international students living and studying in Canberra. These students represent a unique and valuable resource in terms of business and intellectual capital, skills, access to international networks, marketing opportunities for education, business and tourism and the potential for retaining them as skilled and business migrants.

International students bring extraordinary richness to the Canberra community. They are drawn from many countries and their input into to the ACT community is greatly valued. Their contribution to campus life at Canberra universities, CIT, training colleges and schools is substantial. In the context of the value of international education to the ACT economy, international students represent a unique and valuable resource in terms of business and intellectual capital, skills, access to international networks, marketing opportunities for education and tourism and the potential for many to choose to remain in or return to Canberra as skilled and business migrants.

Aims

The aim of the Program is to ensure that international students feel welcome in Canberra, whilst building a growing number of advocates or ambassadors for studying, living and working here. Importantly, the establishment of the ACT International Student Ambassador Program will support the targeted marketing of the ACT’s tertiary institutions in key international student markets. By working with a number of enthusiastic student ambassadors, drawn from a variety of disciplines and a range of countries, it is planned to build networks and relationships with international students already in Canberra, and through them, back in their home countries. Reputation, informal testimonial and word-of-mouth marketing by graduates of ACT institutions are considered key factors in future student education and business related decisions.

Events

A number of official events are planned for the ambassadors, including:

  • a welcome by the ACT Chief Minister;
  • The Canberra Story—held in conjunction with the Canberra Festival program and tied in with the Centenary of Canberra activities every year to 2013;
  • Innovation in Canberra—held in conjunction with the Australian Science Festival program to celebrate the innovation, invention and entrepreneurship of Canberra;
  • Working in Canberra—held in conjunction with the key business organisations; and
  • a combined graduation and induction event.

The student ambassadors will also be invited to a range of cultural, sporting and social events.

Contacts

Economic Futures Australia has been awarded the contract to deliver the ACT International Student Ambassador Program on behalf of the ACT Government and in close collaboration with participating institutions.

Further information may be obtained by contacting—