IHEA Submission to DFAT Informing the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040

Independent Higher Education Australia (IHEA) provided a submission to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) informing the Australian Government’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, which is due to be released in mid-2023.

The Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 will set out a pathway to strengthen Australia’s economic engagement with Southeast Asia, map current and emerging opportunities, and provide a practical roadmap to grow two-way trade and investment. The development of the strategy is also an opportunity to enhance understanding of Southeast Asia in Australia and vice versa.

IHEA's submission primarily relates to international education in the independent higher education sector, in particular the following questions to inform the strategy:

  1. Where are the greatest opportunities to deepen engagement between Australia and Southeast Asia in the education sector?
  2. What obstacles to deeper engagement do IHEA members face?
  3. What could government(s) do to make opportunities in Southeast Asia more attractive? How could the Australian Government practically help overcome obstacles faced?
  4. How could the level of Southeast Asia literacy in Australian business and the education sector be improved?
  5. What do you see as the main trends and drivers of change affecting IHEA members?

This was submitted on 5 January 2023.

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