CDU welcomes certainty for international students

Charles Darwin University (CDU) has welcomed announcements by the Department of Education relating to international student numbers for 2025. 

CDU has been provided with an indicative cap of 2200 new overseas commencements for 2025. 

Certainty for 2025 is welcome; however, this number falls short of both the Territory’s and CDU’s aspirations for international student numbers.

CDU Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Scott Bowman said that the University was working through the implications of this cap, including a better understanding of the implications for usage of the new city campus, coupled with any implications for business and industry in terms of being able to deliver skilled graduates into critical occupations such as nursing and teaching. 

“CDU values our international students, and they are a vital part of our university’s academic and social mission,” Professor Bowman said. 

“We will continue to work with the government to ensure that the Northern Territory is not disadvantaged.”

“It is critical that international students continue to consider the Northern Territory, and CDU as a destination of choice. To that end, I will be leading a delegation and travelling to India, Nepal and Sri Lanka later this month,” he said.  

Professor Bowman travelled to Canberra in June to meet with politicians and decision-makers to advocate for international students and the importance of regional universities.

“The importance of international students was the message I took to Canberra.  International students help the University to deliver tertiary education in the Territory for all Territorians,” he said.

“We have a clear direction on what we can offer international students.”

CDU currently has around 3500 international students. In 2023, around 2100 commenced at CDU. 

“One of the biggest draws for international students is access to jobs. International students have more opportunities to enter the local workforce after studying at a regional university,” Professor Bowman said. 

“There is a relationship between international students and the community that the Federal Government has recognised in this cap decision.”

“Students want work in their fields of study, and the Northern Territory needs graduates to fill skill shortages in areas such as education, engineering and health.”  

“We will continue to lobby the Federal Government for growth in order to meet the needs of the Territory now and into the future”.