Four Corner’s much-promoted programme on universities accepting international students with inadequate English did not present endemic issues across the system

While  a few universities were mentioned the programme focused on Murdoch U, quoting from documents and featuring academics going to camera with concerns.

Four Corners quoted a Murdoch U statement on its adhering to academic standards but that was it from management there. In contrast, the University of Tasmania, which received little an on-air attention, did not wait for the programme to screen, announcing a review of international admission at  4pm yesterday. Vice Chancellor Rufus Black said the review would “undertake a broad, deep health check of the University’s international admissions processes … We care intrinsically about our international students.”

An internal working group led by Provost Jane Long will oversee admissions until external reviewer Hilary Winchester reports.

The National Tertiary Education Union responded strongly to the programme; “our very strong view is that every student who is enrolled, wherever they come from, must have a genuine opportunity to succeed. If universities enrol students who lack the skills necessary to do so, they have a duty of care to ensure that they provide the resources and support that students need to succeed,” national president Alison Barnes, said last night. “Disturbingly, many of our members are reporting that the increase in students who need assistance, especially international students, means that university staff simply cannot provide that help.”