The Australian International Education Conference (AIEC) is the major opportunity each year for international education practitioners, academics, researchers, policy makers and other stakeholders to learn about major industry trends and to network with Australian and international colleagues. The conference is jointly presented by the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) and IDP Education.
Dr. Abdulaziz Bin Taleb, the Cultural Attaché, Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia delivered a presentation highlighting the Saudi Arabia’s international and regional economic importance, being the biggest economy in the Middle East and north Africa, the biggest oil exporter in the world and being one of the biggest twenty economies in the world, particularly the Saudi economy has grown at an average rate 4 to 6% over the past 7 years. Dr. Bin Taleb provided information and statistics about the general and higher education in Saudi Arabia, including Saudi Arabia’s investment in education sector and the increased number of schools, universities and educational institutions. He also spoke about the King Abdullah Scholarship Program (KASP) and the role it plays in the national development. Dr. Bin Taleb also confirmed that Saudi Arabia presents a range of opportunities and challenges for Australian education providers. Co-speakers about Saudi Arabia were Mr. Mark Morley, Trade Commissioner Saudi Arabia, Austrade (Australia) and Mr. Sabry Shehata, Country Director, Saudi Arabia, IDP Education (Saudi Arabia). Ms Louise Goold, Manager Engagement, Faculty of Education, Monash University (Australia), was the moderator of the session.
More details about the AIEC 2014 can be found here