In 2020, Austrade commissioned Pomegranate Global to explore the sector’s engagement with virtual events and to make recommendations to Austrade on future approaches. Comprehensive sector stakeholder consultations formed the evidence base for this report, including a survey, workshops, focus groups and interviews with more than 250 people, including international students and representatives of institutions, peak bodies and agents from the vocational and higher education, ELICOS and schools sectors.
The overarching objective of this project was to identify an ambitious vision for a digital engagement model that would:
- reinforce and enhance Australia’s reputation and brand;
- obtain real-time market insights and data;
- offer a responsive ‘always on’ service;
- create a new channel of engagement with a market; and
- provide an aggregator service for prospective students, industry partners and clients.
The project also outlines recommendations for Austrade’s approach to virtual events, Australia’s future digital presence and the role government agencies can play in digital recruitment.
Austrade is working with its Study Australia Partnership members (comprising all state and territory study destination agencies) to co-design and pilot a virtual events initiative in 2021 based on these recommendations. Opportunities for the sector to participate in this 2021 pilot initiative will be promoted through MIP Weekly.
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