International Students’ Department

BY ABDUL RAHMAN ABDUL RAHIM

The International Students’ Department (ISD) is the representative body for all international students enrolled at UWA. We also serve as the umbrella organisation for international associations and clubs on campus. ISD consists of the education, welfare, social, public relations (PR) and liaison sub departments.

2021 has been a difficult but fulfilling year for ISD. Due to the pandemic, international borders unfortunately remained closed. Due to this, the number of international students on campus has decreased significantly. However, the number of international students that enrolled in 2021 were like 2020. Unfortunately, most of these students were required to commence studies online. Hence, ISD was required to navigate many online events for 2021. Revamping the ISD common room was one of the biggest achievements for ISD this year. With the help of StudyPerth and Lotterywest, the team managed to acquire funds to decorate and buy new furniture for the room. The room now is a safe and comfortable space for international students to use.

The respective sub departments have done magnificently in running events for international students. These events range from normal and simple study nights to terrarium making events and even a dance workshop. The students on the committee have worked tirelessly to advocate and assist international students as much as they possibly can. Our offshore committee members have continued to show proactiveness with events but also through advocacy. During the winter break, ISD set up an Offshore Working Group that has been working on promoting the challenges faced by offshore students, and how to improve the offshore experience through events both within and outside of ISD. An Offshore Student Experience Survey was released to receive feedback directly from the students themselves. The Offshore Working Group created an Instagram and Facebook page to serve as a one-stop-shop for offshore students regarding all online opportunities available at UWA. The group has also released a social media campaign with the hashtag #standwithoffshores so that they can raise more awareness as well as provide a platform for other offshore students to talk about their experience.

I am immensely proud of my department for all the work they have done this year. The events and all the initiatives that were brought forward by the ISD team has really increased and made an impact on many international students.