ABOUT US
In the early 2000s international engagement at Australian universities, outside the well-understood research contribution, was growing rapidly, however not all universities were in a position to provide the support to professionalise these activities and yet support was needed. The Australian Universities International Directors’ Forum (AUIDF) was established in 2002 to meet these needs.
The AUIDF provides a platform for enhanced professionalism, cooperation and cohesion amongst university professionals leading their university’s international engagement activities. It is member led and has evolved significantly since 2002. Through member contributions, the AUIDF enables: research consultancies, sector benchmarking, staff development opportunities and a coordinated and enhanced Australian presence at key international education conferences.
AUIDF initiatives
AUIDF BENCHMARKING ACTIVITIES
The AUIDF commissions member data collection of International Operations, Learning Abroad Outcomes and Public Domain, which are all time series collections. Members received both national and institutional reports annually. The Learning Abroad Outcomes benchmarking is the only collection of this data in Australia and is thus highly sought. The findings are compiled in a report; presented by members at international education conferences and quoted widely in the media by government ministers.
BENCHMARKING INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS (BIO)
The AUIDF BIO report is carried out once each year and the results benchmark participating universities against specific aspects of international operations as follows:
costs of international operations
the staffing of marketing, enquiries, admissions and compliance
admissions policies, procedures, turnaround times and quotas
international student support
the staffing of international student mobility
costs of recruiting for key source countries
digital vs conventional spend
use of scholarships and fee waivers
conversion rates from applicants to offers to commencements
the functions and structures of International Offices
BENCHMARKING LEARNING ABROAD (BLA)
The AUIDF BLA study is carried out once each year and the results provide national data as well as benchmarking data, for participating universities, on outgoing international student mobility. The areas reported on included:
Access to programs
Fields of education
Destinations
Funding
Socio-economic status
Indigenous and minority group student participation
Type of student
Type of program
Level of study
Duration
Funding and sources of funding
BENCHMARKING PUBLIC DOMAIN (PBD)
Figures obtained from the higher education statistics have been used to provide universities participating in the AUIDF BiO report with detail on:
International Student Numbers
Revenue from International Student Fees
International Students: Fields and Levels of Study
International Students: History
International Students: Progress and Attrition
Australian Universities Pavilions & Australian Universities Receptions
The AUIDF plan, design and coordinate the highly regarded Australian Universities Pavilion and Australian Universities Reception at NAFSA , APAIE and EAIE, which showcase Australian universities.
NAFSA 2019
27-31 May 2019,
Washington DC USA
APAIE 2019
25-29 March 2019
Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
UPCOMING
EAIE 2019
24-27 September
Helsinki Finland
AUIDF RESEARCH
The AUIDF undertakes the commissioning of research in areas of interest as needed. Due to the success of an AUIDF Employability Outcomes research project in 2017, the AUIDF research working group worked with the Australian Department of Education to develop a further survey, which was in the field in 2018.
AUIDF MENTORING PROGRAM
The AUIDF have designed a mentor program for middle managers engaged in international education.
AUIDF STAFF DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
In 2018, the AUIDF awarded grants and fellowships to the value of A$25,000, including one fellowship for an emerging leader and three staff development grants.