ANU and UC to launch international student pilot program

The ACT Government has approved a pilot which would see hundreds of continuing international students safely returning to Canberra to complete their studies and help boost the ACT's $1 billion international education sector under a nation-leading joint initiative with the University of Canberra (UC) and The Australian National University (ANU). The plan will see a charter flight carrying up to 350 students arrive at Canberra Airport in July for semester two with the returning students quarantined in hotels for a fortnight before returning to class. The Prime Minster has described the pilot proposal as excellent, and we are now awaiting formal approvals from the Commonwealth Government. Final details of the proposal are being worked through with the Universities, but strict protocols will be in place for their flights, transfers and supervised quarantine. The ACT has already safely overseen repatriation flights into Canberra Airport with passengers safely transferred to hotels and quarantined with the supervision of local authorities. The students in the trial will all be returning students who have previously studied in Canberra, but had their return delayed due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Students considered for the pilot will be older students, for example those studying research or postgraduate courses, honours students and those in the final year of their undergraduate degree.