Latest news with #SwinburneUniversityofTechnology
New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Australia's new measures to strengthen education ties with Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: Australia's newly announced measures to boost Southeast Asian student enrolments from 2026 will create more opportunities for Malaysians to study at its universities and further strengthen the countries' longstanding higher education ties. Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, Danielle Heinecke, said the new measures from next year aim to attract more international students from Southeast Asia, including Malaysia. She said Malaysia and Australia share a longstanding partnership in higher education, with strong institutional links, student mobility, and alumni networks built over decades. "Australia remains one of the most popular destinations for Malaysian students with more than 13,000 Malaysians currently studying in Australia. "The Australian government is prioritising Southeast Asia, this is great news for Malaysian students wanting a high-quality Australian education and student experience. "New efforts to boost the number of students will strengthen our people-to-people links and encourage more investment in Malaysia," she said in a statement. To date, around 500,000 Malaysians have pursued their studies with Australia's world-class education providers. Besides that, four Australian universities – Monash University Malaysia, Curtin University, Swinburne University of Technology and University of Wollongong – operate campuses in Malaysia, reflecting the strength of our education ties. On Aug 4, the Australian Government announced it would increase the number of international student places next year and introduce new measures to boost enrolments from Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries. Under the new framework, a National Planning Level of 295,000 international student places will be introduced for 2026, representing a 9 per cent increase from 270,000 places in 2025. The Australian High Commission stated that Australia's public universities will be able to apply to increase their international student allocations for 2026, by demonstrating an increased engagement with Southeast Asia, through their education offerings, partnerships, campuses, alumni and scholarships. "As part of the reforms, universities will also be required to provide additional student accommodation to ensure both domestic and international students have access to safe and secure student housing. "These changes reflect the Australian government's commitment to building stronger ties with Southeast Asia, consistent with the strategy Invested: Australia's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040," it said.
New Straits Times
22-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Free tertiary education in Sarawak modelled on Nordic, German models
MIRI: Sarawak's free tertiary education (SFTE) initiative is modelled after Nordic countries like Norway and Finland, said Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg. He said these countres, along with Germany, are known worldwide for their high and robust economic growth. "That is why we model our free tertiary education initiative on the free education systems of these countries," he said at a townhall during the Sarawak Day celebration here. "We want our students to have the latest knowledge for the state's future," he said. He said the goal is to replicate the economic growth seen in those countries. The SFTE initiative will begin next year at five state-owned institutions: Swinburne University of Technology in Kuching, Curtin University of Technology in Miri, University Technology Sarawak in Sibu, I-Cats College University in Kuching and Centre of Technological Excellence Sarawak in Kuching. He said the state has no plans to extend SFTE to Sarawakians at federal universities. The initiative is limited to Sarawakians enrolled at the five state-run universities. "If we want to expand to other universities, they are financed by the federal government. We don't want to interfere with what the federal government is doing," he said. Abang Johari said applications to state-owned institutions are not subject to UPU criteria set by the higher education ministry. He cited many cases where students applying for an engineering course were instead diverted to study an arts subject. He added that students with the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) from Chinese schools will be accepted if they meet entry requirements, and even those from poor families can pursue higher education in state-run institutions.
Sydney Morning Herald
21-07-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Justin has $300,000 in the bank but can't get a home loan
While Flowers was told he could borrow $200,000, the total would not let him buy a home that suited his life. 'It's not practical for me to buy a property in a regional area or small apartment – I have kids I want to see every day.' A 2024 report by Swinburne University of Technology found about 508,000 people aged 55-plus were at risk of 'non-supported housing precarity' in 2019-20 – neither poor enough to qualify for housing assistance nor wealthy enough to buy. 'The problem is, after they go through that first hurdle of being approved by the government, they have to find finance from the bank … which introduces its own restrictions about not lending to older people,' say report co-authors Dr Piret Veeroja and Professor Wendy Stone. 'The governments can provide the settings, regulations and the motivation for the finance sector to reduce its discrimination against older people … really bringing the financial sector on board is a necessary part of the puzzle,' Stone says. Stone says shared equity schemes can work well for some, but older applicants they've spoken to who may be eligible face more complex hurdles. Stone says the aged pension rate is 'set on the assumption that people don't have that large housing cost in retirement'. 'But it's impossible to afford a mortgage or find anything that's affordable in a private market on that payment,' she said. Sally Tindall, Canstar's data insights director, says the government could 'work out a scheme … [where] the bank is happy to take on additional risk for someone over 55.' She says government is canvassing solutions, including a reverse mortgage program and abovementioned housing initiatives, but says Help to Buy is 'probably geared towards younger Australians'. 'It could be a good avenue for all Australians, but more needs to be done,' she says. Tindall says the low uptake of the Family Home Guarantee, which offers 2 per cent deposit and requires a bigger loan, suggests it is not fit for purpose. 'People over 55 who don't have a steady stream of income and an exit strategy are not passing the banks' serviceability test, and the banks can't waive those tests because it's a lot more risk for them.' When ex-police officer Naomi Oakley, 56, divorced nine years ago, she had no savings and was raising three children on one wage. After years of saving, she had $70,000; she applied for a home loan and was rejected. She was devastated. Loading She eventually purchased a three-bedroom unit in Skye, outer south-eastern Melbourne – further from the city than she wanted and far from family and support networks. 'I don't go out for dinner and … getting my hair done is a luxury – you have to give up those small things to have a loan at my age,' Oakley says. 'I also think, 'oh god, I'm in my mid-50s, will I get ill before I pay it off?' But you just have to be positive.' A federal government spokesman says Labor's Help to Buy scheme 'will help Australians get into home ownership with as little as a 2 per cent deposit, and a much smaller mortgage – an important option for those who might need a shorter mortgage term'. 'For older renters, we're making renting more secure with 80,000 long, five-year lease rentals and through our Better Deal for Renters, which is ending no-grounds evictions and rent bidding,' he adds. Brendan Coates, a retirement income expert at Grattan Institute, says Help to Buy is only useful for wealthier renters on the brink of purchasing. 'It's useful for older renters who will often have a deposit but won't have enough time left in the workforce to pay off the loan,' he says. 'Most renters have less than $100,000 in savings – there's no way they can buy a home, particularly if they're approaching retirement.' Raising rent assistance by 50 per cent for singles and 40 per cent for couples should be a priority, Coates says. Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Andrew Bragg, said: 'The only way to increase home ownership is to boost housing supply. Under the Coalition, Australia was averaging 190,000 new homes per year. Under Labor, we're barely hitting 170,000 new homes per year. 'Labor's Home Guarantee Scheme is almost useless for many mature first home buyers who will be told 'no' by their lender.' Flowers hopes he can eventually buy something, even if it's to leave to his kids. 'I grew up hearing about Australia the lucky country – doesn't feel too lucky to me, and it won't be like that for our children.'
The Age
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Age
Justin has $300,000 in the bank but can't get a home loan
While Flowers was told he could borrow $200,000, the total would not let him buy a home that suited his life. 'It's not practical for me to buy a property in a regional area or small apartment – I have kids I want to see every day.' A 2024 report by Swinburne University of Technology found about 508,000 people aged 55-plus were at risk of 'non-supported housing precarity' in 2019-20 – neither poor enough to qualify for housing assistance nor wealthy enough to buy. 'The problem is, after they go through that first hurdle of being approved by the government, they have to find finance from the bank … which introduces its own restrictions about not lending to older people,' say report co-authors Dr Piret Veeroja and Professor Wendy Stone. 'The governments can provide the settings, regulations and the motivation for the finance sector to reduce its discrimination against older people … really bringing the financial sector on board is a necessary part of the puzzle,' Stone says. Stone says shared equity schemes can work well for some, but older applicants they've spoken to who may be eligible face more complex hurdles. Stone says the aged pension rate is 'set on the assumption that people don't have that large housing cost in retirement'. 'But it's impossible to afford a mortgage or find anything that's affordable in a private market on that payment,' she said. Sally Tindall, Canstar's data insights director, says the government could 'work out a scheme … [where] the bank is happy to take on additional risk for someone over 55.' She says government is canvassing solutions, including a reverse mortgage program and abovementioned housing initiatives, but says Help to Buy is 'probably geared towards younger Australians'. 'It could be a good avenue for all Australians, but more needs to be done,' she says. Tindall says the low uptake of the Family Home Guarantee, which offers 2 per cent deposit and requires a bigger loan, suggests it is not fit for purpose. 'People over 55 who don't have a steady stream of income and an exit strategy are not passing the banks' serviceability test, and the banks can't waive those tests because it's a lot more risk for them.' When ex-police officer Naomi Oakley, 56, divorced nine years ago, she had no savings and was raising three children on one wage. After years of saving, she had $70,000; she applied for a home loan and was rejected. She was devastated. Loading She eventually purchased a three-bedroom unit in Skye, outer south-eastern Melbourne – further from the city than she wanted and far from family and support networks. 'I don't go out for dinner and … getting my hair done is a luxury – you have to give up those small things to have a loan at my age,' Oakley says. 'I also think, 'oh god, I'm in my mid-50s, will I get ill before I pay it off?' But you just have to be positive.' A federal government spokesman says Labor's Help to Buy scheme 'will help Australians get into home ownership with as little as a 2 per cent deposit, and a much smaller mortgage – an important option for those who might need a shorter mortgage term'. 'For older renters, we're making renting more secure with 80,000 long, five-year lease rentals and through our Better Deal for Renters, which is ending no-grounds evictions and rent bidding,' he adds. Brendan Coates, a retirement income expert at Grattan Institute, says Help to Buy is only useful for wealthier renters on the brink of purchasing. 'It's useful for older renters who will often have a deposit but won't have enough time left in the workforce to pay off the loan,' he says. 'Most renters have less than $100,000 in savings – there's no way they can buy a home, particularly if they're approaching retirement.' Raising rent assistance by 50 per cent for singles and 40 per cent for couples should be a priority, Coates says. Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Andrew Bragg, said: 'The only way to increase home ownership is to boost housing supply. Under the Coalition, Australia was averaging 190,000 new homes per year. Under Labor, we're barely hitting 170,000 new homes per year. 'Labor's Home Guarantee Scheme is almost useless for many mature first home buyers who will be told 'no' by their lender.' Flowers hopes he can eventually buy something, even if it's to leave to his kids. 'I grew up hearing about Australia the lucky country – doesn't feel too lucky to me, and it won't be like that for our children.'
Borneo Post
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Sarawak makes history with inaugural Borneo International Band Festival, eyes bigger return in 2026
SMK St Teresa band in a group photo with Susan (back row, second left), Dr Sim (back row, fourth left), and Tan (back row, sixth left) after winning the champion title in the concert band category. – Photo by Henrietta Liza KUCHING (July 12): The inaugural Borneo International Band Festival (BIBF) 2025 made a rousing debut today with vibrant performances by student musicians from across Borneo, marking a milestone in Sarawak's cultural and music landscape. Held over two days starting today, the festival features 19 school bands from Kuching, Sibu, Miri, and Tawau competing in three categories – ensemble, concert band, and marching band. Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, who officiated the opening and prize-giving ceremonies, hailed the event as a historic first for Sarawak and the region. 'Today, we are not just here for music or for the festival, we are here because we are making history. 'No matter what, you will always be remembered as part of the very first Borneo International Band Festival,' he said when officiating the festival at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus' multipurpose hall here today. Dr Sim urged participants, parents, and supporters to take pride in their involvement, stressing that BIBF goes beyond competition – it reflects the values needed to build a stronger society. 'We are building up Sarawak, not just through competitions or musical exchange, but through the values of discipline, unity and teamwork that music fosters. 'For all the young musicians, I wish you the very best because you are a beacon of hope, a beacon of discipline, a beacon of teamwork,' he said. Malaysia Concert and Marching Band Association (MCMBA) president Wilson Tan also commended the performers, noting the festival's role in fostering community and cultural bonds. 'Over the last couple of hours, we have not only witnessed musical excellence, but the power of community and culture. 'From the thrilling sounds of the concert bands and the electrifying energy of the marching bands, each performance was a testament to the dedication, discipline and passion that defines our band community,' he said. Tan said BIBF serves as a platform to nurture talent, forge friendships, and connect generations through music. 'Let us carry the spirit of this festival back to our schools, our communities and also to continue to build our nation,' he said. Citing overwhelming interest, Tan also announced the return of the festival next year. 'We've already received inquiries from bands in Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan and even Ireland. 'We look forward to welcoming everyone back for BIBF 2026, which will be held from July 10 to 13, right here in Kuching,' he said. Also present was Political Secretary to the Sarawak Premier, Susan Clement Ingun. Borneo International Band Festival Dr Sim Kui Hian Kuching music Swinburne
