Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, says the Coalition Government is working to attract more international students to study in the New England.

The University of New England, in Armidale, will host a roundtable discussion on Thursday, February 14, between representatives from education institutions, local government and community and business leaders to discuss lifting the number of international students studying in regional and remote Australia.

“We have made substantial investments at the University of New England in the past, no better than the $27 million dollars spent on the Agriculture Education Building,” Mr Joyce said.

“There is further investment coming such as the core structure working with the APVMA but we are always looking for the next step and the university’s potential expansion to Tamworth is one avenue.

“Attracting more international students to study in the New England will create jobs and business opportunities, drive tourism numbers and promote cultural diversity.

“This roundtable allows us to understand all the requirements of not only our local district but internationally as well and how the UNE can best fit into that process.”

Encouraging more students, both Australian and international, to study in the regions, including in the New England is part of the Federal Government’s $134.8 million higher education package for regional areas, with international education worth more than $32 billion to our national economy.

The roundtable is one of seven meetings that will inform work by the Expert Members of the Council for International Education.

Roundtable date: Thursday 14 February: University of New England, Armidale

(ENDS)