New Study Melbourne Hubs opening in coming weeks in Vietnam and Malaysia will boost Victoria's connections with overseas students and promote our leadership in international educational technology (Edtech) and innovation.
The Study Hubs in Ho Chi Minh City and Kuala Lumpur will provide international students who are offshore with support and study facilities and promote Melbourne and Victoria to prospective students.
The Study Hub in Kuala Lumpur opened on 23 November, with Ho Chi Minh City's Study Hub opening on 1 December. The hubs were announced as part of the Victorian Government's $33.4 million International Education Short Term Recovery Plan PDF, 1.2 MB, with additional funding provided in the Victorian Budget 2021/22.
Victoria is a popular study destination for students from Vietnam and Malaysia, with around 8800 Vietnamese students and 7700 Malaysian students enrolled in Victorian institutions. About a quarter of these students are currently offshore with the first overseas students expected to return to Victoria from 1 December.
The Study Hubs will provide networking events and activities, access to support services and programs and information about Melbourne and Victorian institutions for prospective students.
"We're looking forward to welcoming back students from Vietnam, Malaysia and elsewhere, and our Study Hubs are a great way to spread the message about the opportunities that exist in Victoria." Minister for Trade Martin Pakula
Securing trade, investment and partnership opportunities in Edtech is also a core focus of the Study Hubs as they bring together Edtech companies, investors, researchers and education providers in the search for new, high-quality Edtech solutions for the Southeast Asia region.
Victoria is the only Australian state or territory to provide its international students with offshore Study Hubs, with its inaugural hub in Shanghai launched in April this year.
Victoria's Commissioner to Greater China, Brett Stevens officially opens the inaugural Study Melbourne Hub in Shanghai earlier this year
Study Melbourne also operates a virtual hub in India, with plans to open a physical space in Bangalore.
Growing Study Melbourne's international footprint will help rebuild and revitalise the international education market. International education contributed a peak of $13.7 billion to the state's economy and supported around 79,000 Victorian jobs prior to the pandemic.
