Study Melbourne played a pivotal role in the 2024 Australian International Education Conference (AIEC), which brought together 1,900 delegates and reinforced Victoria’s reputation as a premier international education destination.

As a key sponsor, Study Melbourne hosted the vibrant pop-up ‘Study Melbourne Hub @ AIEC,’ welcoming hundreds of visitors and serving over 1,000 coffees. Collaborating closely with the Victorian Department of Education who lead our highly successful International Student Program, Study Melbourne facilitated valuable connections and partnerships through a range of activities. These included:

• a VIP networking reception
• impactful international delegations
• student and industry panels
• the conference welcome reception
• international market briefings from Austrade’s commissioners.

A standout moment was the National Town Hall discussion hosted by Professor Stan Grant. Caroline Hartnett, Director of International Education and Study Melbourne, joined peak body and federal government representatives to address the impact of policy changes on international students and the sector. Caroline underscored Victoria’s commitment to being an open and welcoming destination for international students. The event also featured a powerful panel of international students sharing their experiences, highlighting the significant contributions international students make to Victoria.

The conference provided an excellent platform for Study Melbourne to engage key stakeholders through its Global Education Network and local team. These efforts led to facilitation of successful international delegations from regions such as Latin America, China, Korea and Japan, and support for visiting delegations from Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia and India. A major achievement included facilitating three MOU signings between Victorian universities and key international institutions and scholarship bodies.

A heartfelt thank you to our colleagues at Austrade, the Victorian Department of Education and everyone in the International Education team for their outstanding contributions to this successful event. Together, we continue to elevate Victoria’s position as a leader in international education.