CQU has held its first fully coordinated seminar for staff involved in international student arrivals, settling and enrolments.

The specially designed seminar captured staff members from CQU International, Student Administration, Student Services and the faculties who will be handling new international student arrivals.

The event aimed to ensure their introduction to CQU is the best we can offer, which is vital for student retention.

Professor Debbie Clayton, Director of International Development and Services, said the arrival of international students marked an important step in what was often already a long relationship with CQU.

"The marketing and recruitment personnel and other CQUI staff may have been dealing with a potential student for several years prior to this point," she said.

"For example, 1 student from Nigeria is scheduled to arrive this term after us interacting with him for 2 years and providing advice, program counselling, advice on English language preparedness, and visa processing, all readying him for his arrival in Australia.

Manager, International Systems and Compliance, Kathy Ramm said "all sections in the university do their jobs well in servicing the new International students, but the trick is linking all the various sections together so that the service to students is seamless".

Seminar topics covered included processes, frontline skills, cultural sensitivity, legislative requirements and the CQU position.

Manager of Student Services, Mary MacKavanagh provided the very valuable frontline skills training.

Photo contributed by STEPHEN LIN....recent international student arrivals at CQU.