Professor Trish Todd (left) and Mr Kelly Smith (right)
The UWAHS committee, society members, friends and guests were joined at an informal gathering to hear Mr Kelly Smith and Professor Trish Todd provide a short presentation followed by questions and discussion on “The History of Full Fee Paying International Students and the Development of the International Centre at UWA”.
Following on from the Colombo Plan, the Australian Government responded to the demand for more places for overseas students by allowing tertiary institutions to charge full fees. UWA commenced recruiting full-fee paying overseas students in 1987 and opened its Overseas Students’ Office in 1988. This was a major change away from an aid‐focused approach to overseas students, to a commercially‐driven policy. While the change was controversial, it has been the catalyst for a much broader internationalisation of UWA. Join our presenters for an informative view of the University’s history at a time when the current Federal Budget is about to make further changes to this important aspect of UWA’s history.
Mr Kelly Smith is the current Director of the UWA International Centre. The UWA International Centre looks after international student admissions, AusAID and internationally sponsored students, UWA’s international marketing, international student support, arrangements for students who study abroad and student exchange arrangements.
Professor Trish Todd is Professor of Employment Relations in the UWA Business School. She was the inaugural head of UWA’s Overseas Students’ Office from 1988 to 1992.