CAPSTRANS: Research Resources - Conferences 2008 International Students in the Asia Pacific

CAPSTRANS CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS 2008

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN THE ASIA PACIFIC: MOBILITY, MIGRATION, WELLBEING AND SECURITY
13-15 February 2008

apfrn logo The Centre for Asia Pacific Social Transformation Studies (CAPSTRANS) together with Asia-Pacific Futures Research Network (APFRN), will hold an international forum titled International Students in the Asia Pacific: Mobility, Migration, Wellbeing and Security, 13-15 February 2008, at the University of Wollongong.

This workshop is being convened by Associate Professor Kell

Aims of the forum
Who should come to this important forum?
Why is this forum important?
Are there greater risks for international students and their hosts?
How do I participate?
Registration Form [pdf 22kb]
Draft Program [pdf 243kb]
Menu to Workshop Dinner
Preparation of Papers
Links

aims of the forum

The main aims of this workshop are to:

Explore the nature of mobility associated with the internationalisation of higher education in the Asia Pacific;
Explore aspects of the experience of international students in the Asia Pacific concerning study, employment, migration and integration in their host communities;
Explore aspects of the physical and mental wellbeing, sense of security and belonging experienced by international students in the Asia Pacific;
Develop strategies to improve the health and welfare outcomes of international students.

who should come to this important forum?

International students.
Managers of international programs.
University managers
Postgraduate students interested in researching the area

why is this forum important?

One of the major sources of population mobility in the Asia Pacific is the movement of people in higher and further education. While nations such as, Australia and New Zealand have been the traditional educational destinations, some countries such as, Malaysia and Singapore are now active entrants in the international higher education market. The mix of students participating in international education has also shifted with a larger number of students from China, India, Korea and Hong Kong, Indonesia and Thailand participating in transnational education. In addition, students from Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Yemen are a new source of growth in international education in both developing nations and developed nations in the Asia Pacific. For many, participation as an international student is the entry point for permanent residence, immigration and settlement in another country and contributes to the mobility of the Asia Pacific population.

are there greater risks for international students and their hosts ?

In the post September 11th environment the lives of international students have also been influenced by the anxieties associated with terrorism, immigration and increasing xenophobia. In the context of a backlash towards “foreigners”, international students and their families have been subject to increasing levels of isolation, fear and stress. Accompanied by difficulties in gaining a sense of belonging many students suffer a sense of alienation and depression. New cultural settings, new languages as well as often ambivalent treatment in the host institutions and countries creates a challenging environment. This is often compounded by problems associated with student poverty such as deficient diets and poor living conditions. In some cases exploitative and high-risk work in order to support their studies contributes to an environment where the wellbeing, health and welfare of international students is jeopardised. This workshop will involve academics and students from the Asia Pacific in discussing these issues. This workshop is innovative as it:

Has a focus on the multiple themes of mobility, migration and the health and welfare of students;
Involves a partnership with Asian researchers and enables multiple perspectives on the issues;
It is cross-disciplinary involving health professionals, migration and population researchers, economists and higher education researchers.

how do i participate?

Expression of interest to participate/attend, due 31 May 2007
Abstract (200 words) due 31 July, 2007
Full paper (4000-6000) due 31 December 2007

Contact:
Forum Coordinator
Dr Gillian Vogl
Post Doctoral Fellow
University of Wollongong
Ph: +61 (0) 2 4221 4913
Mobile: 0410 882 084
Email: Gillian@uow.edu.au

Click here to download the Registration Form [pdf 22kb]

Preparation of Papers

Selected papers will be published in the International Journal of Asia- Pacific Studies (IJAPS). Those that are not published in IJAPS will be published as online refereed conference proceedings. However, we would appreciate it if all authors could prepare their papers in accordance with the IJAPS notes to contributors’ guidelines at:
http://www.usm.my/ijaps/default.asp?tag=1&flag=6

Please still email your completed papers to Gillian Vogl: gillian@uow.edu.au