International students in NSW will have access to a new digital mental health and wellbeing toolkit, as one of a number of programs that will enhance employability, entrepreneurship and research and development skills, thanks to $360,000 in funding from the NSW Government to support the sector.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade and Industry John Barilaro said the Partner Project funding from Study NSW will support the future of international education in NSW, an industry that has been hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The international education sector remains one of the state's biggest exports, sustaining thousands of jobs across NSW," Mr Barilaro said.
"These co-funded projects are part of a range of measures from the NSW Government to support almost 170,000 international students currently studying with NSW education providers both here and overseas."
Between 2014 and 2021, Study NSW has invested more than $2.4 million across 61 partner projects and attracted $8.4 million in industry contributions.
Minister for Mental Health, Regional Youth and Women Bronnie Taylor said the digital mental health and wellbeing toolkit for international students couldn't have come at a better time.
"Being isolated from friends and family for long periods is difficult for everyone and this is especially true for international students right now" Mrs Taylor said.
"I want each and every one to know that it is completely normal to feel stressed, overwhelmed or uncertain and there is specialist support available if they need it."
The recipients for the 2021-22 round are:
- $100,000 for ISANA International Education Association to deliver the Lived Experience Toolkit
- $48,000 for the Academy of Entrepreneurs to deliver Masterclass for Impact, a series of workshops on employability and entrepreneurship
- $45,000 for Intersective to deliver the Research and Development Project Program where international students will assist a real NSW SME or start-up advance an R&D project
- $44,000 for Haymarket HQ to deliver a virtual entrepreneurship program FFWD: Ideate & Accelerate
- $40,000 for The Lygon Group to deliver student sentiment tracker, The Student Source, which will analyse sentiment shifts and make recommendations for NSW based institutions using social media listening
- $33,000 for the University of Technology Sydney to deliver Aus LEAP which connects students with volunteering opportunities with charities, not-for-profits, and social enterprise organisations
- $30,000 for The FRANK Team to deliver INTERCHANGE 2022, a seven-week Work Integrated Learning program offered in collaboration with seven universities
- $20,000 for the International Student Education Agents Association Limited to deliver Unite and Recover Education Agent Sector, a research report on the impact of COVID-19 on education agents, the ongoing effects this has on NSW international education sector, and a strategy on how to recover
Refer to Study NSW - Partner Projects, to find out more about this year's successful projects.
Students can access information on available support at the Study NSW COVID-19 Help Hub.
