Council of International Students Australia (CISA)

PO Box 24134, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia

Web: www.cisa.edu.au




_________________________________________________________________________
MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday 3rd July 2014

Full Program Releases for 4
th
National Conference and AGM
7
th
11
th
July 2014
The Council of International Students Australia (CISA) releases the full program for the
upcoming CISA National Conference 2014. This years theme, Engage Locally, Connect
Nationally, emphasises the importance of empowering students and revolutionising
international student advocacy at the local level. Bringing together international student
leaders, education institutions, government representatives, and other international education
consultants and advisors, the CISA National Conference sessions will focus on improving
student advocacy and the quality of student experience. It will engage with a wide variety of
stakeholders, especially students.
The CISA National Conference is an annual event that facilitates engagement and
connection between international student leaders and stakeholder groups. It is a unique
opportunity for us as a community to find solutions to key challenges faced by international
students, said Thomson Chng, National President of CISA.
The conference sessions will be thought provoking, engaging, and potentially challenging for
our delegates as we endeavour to provide them with a confidence and competence boost
effect while enjoying a long lasting and memorable experience throughout the week, he
added.
Of particular notes, special guest speakers include Gambhir Watts OAM, the President of the
International Centre of Non-Violence (ICON) Australia representing revered Ela Gandhi,
granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi and Patron of ICON Australia and fellow international
education sector delegates, led by Helen Zimmerman, the President of International
Education Association of Australia (IEAA). CISA will also announce winners of its enhanced
Excellence Awards program in its Gala Dinner on the 8
th
of July. These awards will go to
three organisations and five individuals who were selected through the combination of judges
choice and peoples choice. The excellence program aims to acknowledge and celebrate the
Council of International Students Australia (CISA)
PO Box 24134, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
Web: www.cisa.edu.au



contribution of international students to the wider community. Applicants include international
students from universities, TAFE institutions and private colleges across Australia.
This years National Conference runs from the 7
th
through to the 9
th
of July at the City West
Campus of the University of South Australia, Adelaide. The week will conclude with the CISA
Annual General Meeting on the 10
th
and the 11
th
, where the 2014-2015 CISA executive team
will be elected by member associations.
Other conference sessions will cover a wide range of professional development training for
international student leaders including event management and effective use of social media,
effective board meetings, governance and communication, debate surrounding legal
frameworks such as the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000.
The CISAs Executive Team is comprised of students who largely volunteer their time to
CISAs projects such as this annual conference. The CISA team is grateful to everyone who
helped prepare for next week, including CISAs student members, volunteers, and generous
sponsors across the international education sector. This years event attracted the most
diverse collection of sponsors in CISAs conference history.

Media Contacts:

Thomson Chng
National President, Council of International Students Australia
pres@cisa.edu.au
0425 235 288

Kylee Hartman-Warren
National Public Relations Officer, Council of International Students Australia
publicrelations@cisa.edu.au
0450 011 530