Foreign students at capacity level

AUSTRALIA'S international education body has signalled a change of course in foreign student education with a new focus on maintaining the $12.5 billion industry rather than growing it. The shift comes as universities indicate they have reached capacity in their foreign student intakes, and concern over "fragility" in the international education sector. Universities rely on foreign student fees for an average of 15% of their overall funding. Australian Education International (AEI), the international arm of the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, will focus on broadening the range of countries from which international students come, encouraging diversity in the courses they study, enriching the links between Australian and overseas institutions, and getting the international student numbers right.... [read full story]