Macquarie International’s annual Familiarisation Tour was held on campus from 24-27 October 2017.

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This year, over 50 international education agencies and University partners from 26 countries participated in the event.

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The program was designed to enable Macquarie to re-engage with valuable key partners and high potential individuals from regions of strategic importance to the University and to invigorate our relationship with them.

A considerable proportion of Macquarie’s international students comes through the agent recruitment channel. In some countries, it can be as much as 75 per cent of total student application numbers.  Macquarie International appoints and manages a network of Country Managers which shape the Global Engagement and Business Development Team. These staff members, based in Australia and offshore, manage these relationships and are also responsible for student recruitment and brand engagement in over 100 countries.

Participation by a strong contingent from Macquarie University comprising executives, senior academics, students and professional staff was considered critical to attracting the targeted partners to the conference. This investment of personnel and time by the University was to convey a strong message of commitment and intent to our valued partners. Macquarie International would like to thank all staff involved for their time and enthusiasm.

The program included expert speaker-led sessions, interactive workshops, panels and Faculty tours, and networking opportunities.

Highlights

• A corporate partner visit to Cochlear and the Australian Hearing Hub
• Interactive sessions from each faculty and the Macquarie University International College to reveal Macquarie’s unique programs, expertise, and facilities
• Opportunities to network with academics, students and professional staff over panel discussions, Q&A session and at every catering offerings
• An ‘amazing-race’ like tour around campus and a tour of the new city campus.

The conference achieved its aim to re-engage with key partners, and to showcase the unique Macquarie experience. The written feedback from the delegates and anecdotal feedback from staff was overwhelmingly positive: over 80 per cent of our agents rated the event as 5 out of 5.

The success of the event has set high expectations of Macquarie and Macquarie International will ensure that there is adequate follow up on specific conversations and actions as well as generally so that the impetus is maintained and the positive relationships developed are maintained.

“We would like to thank all participants involved who made this event such a success,” says Nicole Brigg, Pro Vice-Chancellor, International.

“This event would not have been possible without your support.”