A lag in the return of international
students could see Australian universities taking a greater interest in hosting
meetings, according to the owner-manager of one of the country’s leading professional congress organisers (PCOs).
While the number of international students
in Australia has steadily increased since borders opened to them in December
last year, there are still
300,000 fewer than before the pandemic.
That means less revenue for tertiary institutions, with universities estimated to have lost around
A$3-4.6bn in revenue from international student
fees in 2020 alone, and more in 2021.
Emma Bowyer, owner and managing director of
ICMS Australasia, said the opportunities for tertiary institutions in the
meetings and events sector were ‘almost limitless’.
Bowyer, whose team is managing the 18th
International Conference on X-Ray Absorption and Fine Structure at the
University of Sydney, said: “Tertiary institutions looking to bid for and host
meetings is nothing new but with such a focus today on self-funding and the dip
during the pandemic on international student numbers it could certainly be a
sector they target further moving forward.”
She added: “Meetings, and particularly
international meetings, provide colleges and universities with the opportunity
not only for additional revenue but the chance to demonstrate their expertise
in a particular area of specialisation that can lead to recruitment and
increased research grants through collaboration with international peers.”
This week’s 18th International
Conference on X-Ray Absorption and Fine Structure is being hosted by the
University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales, Sydney, the
International X-Ray Absorption Society and the Australian Nuclear Science and
Technology Organisation.
More than 300 in-person and virtual
attendees are expected to attend the Conference, with participants from 40
countries.
The conference was secured by BE Sydney.
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
