EDEX NEWS April 2007

ISSUE 3 VOL 2

Sunday 1 April by Robert Parsonson

Russia Trip April 07

Continuing the trend of the past 3 years, desire for overseas education of Russian students is growing with their parents ability to fund it. This year Students International (SI) has concentrated on the Far East markets that have produced the significant numbers from:

• Khabarovsk
• Petropavlovsk-Kamchatski
• Vladivostok
• Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Other cities in the network are still producing students but SI is being more selective in the choice of venues and promotions. SI has a strong influence on the final destinations of the students. The other cities that are usually on this tour are Novosibirsk and Irkurtsk but have to improve performance before they will hold more tours there.

The timing of the fair targets students about to graduate in June (early) and will be ready to enter short English courses for the summer (July and August) or look to get more significant English courses with the view to entering the 2008 March entry in university and colleges. There were about 20 institutions 4 Australian 7 New Zealand, 8 Canadian, 1 Swiss.

With the overall organisation and promotions it was one of the most successful of the SI tours that I have seen. I had 20 -30 sit down interviews in the 12 - 6 pm exhibition times. The interviews were in depth with many parents attending doing detailed calculations.

I used a handout chart that I had made up giving the current A$ - US$ exchange as well as the A$ - Russian Ruble rate (about 21 Rubles to the A$). I also made up a chart showing prices for English weeks, Diploma costs, and Degree and Post graduate courses and finally cost of living costs + average rates of pay and tax for students in Sydney. These were very useful and students and parents appreciated getting these as they gave a quick and easy idea of costs. The sheets also provide a scribble pad to note any other information.

SI provides a short translation of the schools to hand out in addition to the brochures - useful to hand out to the more casual passers by (and little kids making a brochure collection).

The break down of what students were after was:

• Summer English courses (ages 12 - 16) 20%
• High School Programs 2%
• Pathway programs (diplomas) + English 40%
• Undergraduate 20%
• Postgraduate 18%

Brochure almost there!

The brochure is in the final - final proofing (amazing what you find despite going through many times). I am now getting quotes and will have a final price early next week. The launch of the brochure should be held at...

Agent Night May 31 at the New Look GV Sydney UEC!

A tentative day Thursday 31 May from 6.00 pm has been proposed for an agent night at GV Sydney UEC Pitt St Campus. It has gone through extensive renovations and it would make a nice double to hold an agent night to showcase the new look and officially launch the pathway brochure.

Please get in touch if the night is not convenient!

CATC does a Hat Trick!

3rd DIA National Award

The prestigious Design Institute Australia award for student work in Interior Design was again won by a CATC student PLUS 2nd place was also taken out by CATC! A truly amazing performance that shows what the huge efforts by Gary Mariner, Geraldine Van Os and the staff at CATC have achieved in the last few years.

The annual DIA Student Design Awards are a popular and highly regarded opportunity for all student designers to show their creative talents to the full.

Design students from Australia and New Zealand gain valuable experience working to challenging design briefs, important portfolio content, and exposure to the public and wider design community.

NEW OFFICE PLUS FURNITURE!

I have finally and officially moved into the new office and have a desk and storage! Just opposite the QVB. Contacts are:

Edex Pty Ltd

Suite 2 Level 2,
468-472 George Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

PO Box 3065
Rhodes
NSW 2138

ABN 99787 210 828
Ph: +61 2 8003 5242
Fax: +61 2 8456 6079
Email: rob@edexservices.com.au
www.edexservices.com.au