The Universities Australia Board met with Education Minister Dan Tehan on Monday afternoon to identify further measures to minimise disruption caused by new travel restrictions imposed on 1 February.
The restrictions on travel from China to Australia while authorities seek to contain the spread of coronavirus will have an impact on tens of thousands of international students from China.
Universities Australia Chair Professor Deborah Terry AO said universities “look forward to welcoming our international students as soon as possible – and our care and thoughts are with our students in China at this stressful time”.
Professor Terry thanked Minister Tehan for formally conveying the Government’s commitment to help manage the impact on students.
“That offer of ‘maximum flexibility’ from Government is so important – and we appreciate the commitment to work closely together through the challenges this situation presents,” she said.
“On behalf of our staff and students, I also want to thank the health officials who have worked tirelessly to update advice and provide clarification in this evolving situation,” she said.
Some of the many issues canvassed in today’s wide-ranging discussions included:
- An update on the impact on our students, and the round-the-clock efforts of our universities to support our students in China as this situation evolves;
