Vice-Chancellor and President Professor John Rickard this week distributed an update to stress CQUniversity's focus on the safety of international students ...

Professor John Rickard

"As concerns mount nationally over attacks on international students, I want to remind you of the steps CQUniversity and CMS (our international education subsidiary) have taken in the past, and maintain, to care for and look after the well-being of our international students. 

"CQUniversity International students coming to Australia (our capital cities and regional Australia, including Rockhampton) receive pre-departure briefings or orientation from us, covering academic issues, accommodation and living expenses and routines, work and cultural issues.

"We try to give a very real picture of what students can expect when they arrive and talk about things such as money, transportation, food, clothing, customs, behaviours, language and the climate.

"CQUniversity Melbourne Campus Director  (Victorian State Director) Ken Bruce, for example, tells students that whilst it will be a journey 'full of new and exciting challenges' it will be marked by cultural differences. He encourages them to "realise that often the reactions and perceptions of others towards you and of you towards them are not personal evaluations but are based on different cultural values and a lack of understanding of different cultures."

"On issues of personal safety, we bring students and police multicultural liaison officers (and in Melbourne, Consumer Affairs Victoria) together to share information.

"Public transportation providers, as well, present at orientations and provide materials for students. Students, too, receive printed and other information at orientation regarding campus security and their personal safety.

"All students are actively encouraged to contact Student Services for any issues affecting them including security and their personal well-being.

"Also, CQUniversity provides direct assistance to students needing help with accommodation such as rental searches and share arrangements.

"And in the event that a student requires emergency or short term accommodation, we assist in placements in local student accommodations or can make more formal arrangements, such as home-stays, through direct referral to recognised providers. Campuses also provide on- and off-campus activities for students so they get to know their cities better.

"This week we've scheduled extra time to hold confidential counselling with students who feel they need help.

"This is just a brief explanation of some of the steps we take. All of these measures are backed up by official orientation programs, campus security and ongoing support by professional staff who care and are available to students around the clock.  Thankfully none of our students have been directly affected by the violence, but the growing pattern of attacks on Indian students in Melbourne is very alarming and of deep concern to us all.

"All of us at CQUniversity, wherever we are, have a responsibility to look after the safety and well-being of our students and colleagues. We have been and will continue to be actively engaged with law enforcement, student representatives and government agencies - in Melbourne and India specifically - to ensure cultural diversity is tolerated and that the safety of our students is paramount."