Highlights
- SA premier announces return of international students, first batch to have 160 students
- International students to quarantine at existing facilities at Parafield airport
- International education contributed more than $2 billion to the SA economy in 2019
The first batch of international students is expected to arrive in South Australia after a proposed quarantine facility at Flight Training Adelaide was approved by the federal government, making it the first jurisdiction in the country to get this nod.
The proposed facility will allow students to complete their quarantine and undergo coronavirus testing.
In a media statement issued by South Australia Premier Steven Marshall stated, “the health and safety of South Australians is our Number One priority. There is still more work to be done with the Commonwealth and education providers.”
“It’s also important to note that no returning Australian will be impacted by the plan, as it will be done outside the current caps and the institutions and students will bear the costs of flights and quarantine,” Mr Marshall added.
South Australia’s Minister for Trade and Investment Stephen Patterson added in the media release that the Flight Training Adelaide site at Parafield has been approved for its ability to meet infection control as determined by SA Health, and is able to house 160 students who will complete their 14-day quarantine and undertake daily COVID-19 testing.
No timeframe has yet been provided for this plan.
Tejas Anwekar, a student of University of Adelaide, currently stranded in India. Source: Supplied by Tejas Anwekar
Hailing from Indore in central India, Mr Anwekar had enrolled himself for Masters in Construction Management at the University of Adelaide in 2020. He had to complete his first semester online while in India due to Australia’s border closure.
But, he hopes to begin his second semester in Australia.
“I am very happy to hear the news from the South Australian government. I am hoping I will be able to travel to Adelaide to start my second semester on campus,” he told SBS Hindi.
Highlighting the importance of the international education sector, Premier Marshall stated that overseas students add a lot to the state’s multicultural fabric apart from having overall economic benefits.
“International education is a significant part of South Australia’s economy, contributing over $2 billion in 2019, partly spent with our education providers such as schools and universities and also providing a boost to our retail, hospitality and tourism sectors,” Mr Marshall’s statement added.
“With every three students leading to the creation of one job – in 2019, almost 20,000 jobs were underpinned by international education, which is massive for our state,” he elaborated.
Welcoming the announcement, president of the Association of Australian Education Representatives in India, Ravi Lochan Singh told SBS Hindi, “there is now light at the end of the tunnel. I am aware that students who are studying online will only be brought in small batches, but it is still a good start.”
Chief Executive of Universities Australia Catriona Jackson has also welcomed the news.
“Right now, there are more than 10,000 higher education students studying with South Australian institutions who are outside the country. We want to welcome them back as quickly as possible so they can join their Australian classmates on campus," Ms Jackson said in a statement.
