SINGAPORE--(Marketwire - March 9, 2011) - Australia's 39 universities, including premier institutions, vocational education institutes, secondary schools and colleges will be in Singapore at the annual Study in Australia event from 19 to 20 March at Suntec Singapore. Held for the 25^th time, the event will highlight Australia's strengths as a top education destination for Singaporeans with a focus on study experience, quality of education and international recognition of Australian qualifications.

The Australian High Commissioner to Singapore, His Excellency Mr. Doug Chester said, "Australia's vibrant lifestyle and multicultural environment along with the quality, affordability and geographic proximity makes it one of the preferred destinations for Singaporeans wanting to pursue an overseas education."

"Study in Australia showcases these advantages, highlighting Australia's strengths and showcasing the variety of education and scholarship opportunities available. 39 Australian universities, including premier institutions such as the University of Melbourne and the University of Sydney, will be represented alongside vocational education institutes, secondary schools and colleges at the fair," Mrs. Kirsten Sayers, Australian Senior Trade & Investment Commissioner, Singapore, said.

The Australian Government has organised a number of events to complement Study in Australia during the week of 16^th March 2011. There will be a Symposium themed 'Education Beyond Books' for students considering overseas studies. Visiting faculty professors and senior Australian academics specialising in medical/biomedical science, arts and social science, management and commerce, sports science and management, and health science will share research and personal experiences to help students to make study and career choices. Other highlights include the Distinguished Australian Alumni Networking Night.

Singaporeans embrace Australian education

Singaporeans continue to actively seek a high quality overseas education in Australia. The number of Singaporean students enrolled in Australia universities has been increasing in the past few years, reaching around 9,500 in 2010. There are currently around 620,000 foreign students in Australia. Singapore is currently ranked fourth by total number of student enrolments in the Australian higher education sector.

Since 2007, more than 36,000 Singaporeans have enrolled in courses in Australia, with a majority of them taking on undergraduate or postgraduate programmes. Courses in Health and Natural & Physical Sciences have seen a significant increase in enrolments over the years, and now constitute the top three higher education courses for Singaporeans studying in Australia besides Management and Commerce. Singaporeans in health-related higher education courses more than doubled from 2005, with around 1,000 currently pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in that field.

Support for foreign students in Australia

Australia is committed to delivering the highest quality education possible with an emphasis on innovative, research-intensive academic work. The Australian Government has a legal framework in place to ensure quality of life and education for foreign students. The Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act registers all overseas students coming to Australia on student visas and ensures that these students get what they pay for. Another level of protection is the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), which accredits educational qualifications in Australia in a national framework. This legislation is regularly reviewed. The Government amended the ESOS Act on 23 June 2010. 

Mr. Chester said, "This fair is a representative sample of the best educational programmes that we have to offer, and we hope it will help Singapore-based students make insightful study choices that will be pivotal to successful careers in the future."

Organised by the Australian Trade Commission (Singapore), the Study in Australia event is the only education showcase by the Australian Government in Singapore with all 39 Australian universities represented. Visitors can find out more about the various academic programmes and scholarships available from a wide variety of institutions including Australian universities, vocational education institutes and private colleges. Admission is free.

Highlights of the fair include seminars by Australian Education International and leading institutions on studying in Australia, and student ambassadors who will share their personal experiences and provide advice on living and studying overseas. Representatives from travel agencies, education agents and student accommodation companies will also be available to answer queries. For more information, please visit http://www.studyinaustralia.org/singapore/

For more information, visit Austrade at www.austrade.gov.au.

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