Media releases

International students from more than 30 nations have been given a Mayoral welcome to Ballarat at a lunch at Federation University Australia’s Mt Helen campus. 

The Mayor of Ballarat Samantha Macintosh and Federation University’s Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Helen Bartlett spoke to the students about the experience they can expect to have studying and living in Ballarat.

Up to 100 international students attended the lunch at the Albert Coates Complex on the Mt Helen campus.

The lunch enabled international students to mingle with their peers, senior University staff and community leaders. 

The event was part of Federation University’s strong focus on providing excellent student support for both domestic and international students.

Federation is ranked as the number one university in Victoria for student support, according to the latest national Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) Student Experience Survey, released in March.

The University’s reputation is growing internationally and there has been a strong increase in international student enrolments, with 801 international students studying at the Ballarat campus in 2019, up from 473 in 2018.

The number of international students at the Berwick campus has risen from 138 in 2018 to 424 in 2019, while the Gippsland campus now hosts 50 international students, compared to 23 in 2018.

Picture: Mayor of the City of Ballarat Samantha McIntosh; Saudi student Abjulrahman Alsharif; Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Helen Bartlett

Quotes attributable to the Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Helen Bartlett

“The growth of our international student numbers is exciting – it demonstrates how the university’s reputation is growing internationally and it means our campuses are more diverse, offering local students the chance to meet other students from around the world."

“We offer our international students a world-class education and a high quality student experience in vibrant regional communities.”

“International students enrich our university community with different cultures and insights, which is particularly beneficial in regional communities that don’t always have the cultural diversity of larger cities.”

Quotes attributable to Mayor of the City of Ballarat Samantha McIntosh

“The City welcomes international students to Ballarat and recognises their contribution to Ballarat’s cultural diversity.”

 “I would encourage all our international students to become involved in our community and to enjoy our great vibrant city while living, working and studying in Ballarat.”