Category: NEAS News

NEAS congratulates Vietnam USA Society English Centres (VUS) on the recent Quality Endorsement of FIVE (!) new centres and for completing a successful Quality Review of well-established centres. VUS is a leading English Language Teaching institution in Vietnam with approximately 250,000 students enrolled annually throughout the country. The majority of its campuses are located in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Hanoi, Binh Duong, Bien Hoa, Vung Tau and Da Nang. Established over 20 years ago, VUS joined NEAS in 2017 with an initial 15 centres and has since added a significate number of new centres. VUS currently has 43 NEAS endorsed centres.

NEAS conducted a recent Virtual Quality Review to confirm the endorsement of five new centres-VUS Binh Duong, VUS Binh Long, VUS Nuyen Van Tang, VUS Nguyen Van Thu, and VUS To Ky 2- in addition to the Quality Review of established centres. The Virtual Quality Review was followed by a two-day visit to multiple VUS campuses including the newly endorsed ones by NEAS CEO, Dr Pheasant.  Dr Pheasant was particularly impressed by the state of art facilities, the student welcoming ceremony and VUS’s overall commitment to delivering quality education.

It was evident via Management meetings and submitted Health Checks that VUS has well-established key business departments and efficient reporting structures. Each campus has its own Admissions and Student Affairs team, Training Quality Management team and School, Service and Compliance team. The Academic Research team is in the Head Office in Ho Chi Min City.

VUS has a strong culture of fostering a sense of family among students, parents and teachers through social media, face-to-face engagement and the Learning Management System (LMS): V-Hub. Social events are also advertised on the notice board in the foyer of each building. When asked in focus groups about their experience at VUS, many teachers and staff members expressed being happily employed at VUS for 10 – 20 years, which is a testament to the good work conditions and supportive culture.

September 2022

We are pleased to share the details of the new NEAS office! Based in a historic building in vibrant Chinatown, NEAS has set up shop in the Haymarket HQ (HHQ) shared-workspace community! A busy work-hub comprised of companies spanning the globe, HHQ’s members and alumni include the likes of the International Student Education Agents Association (ISEAA), Education Link, Golden Education, I-Student and MyStudyWorks.

Not just an office space, HHQ also provides mentorship and education to start-ups and SMEs wanting to expand into global markets. NEAS shares HHQ’s vision in wanting  to connect and unite organisations in different countries to achieve common goals and solve various issues faced by sectorial communities. NEAS is proud to be a part of this exciting and thriving space!

Come and visit us at Level 2, 63 Dixon Street, Haymarket NSW 2000, Australia.

Congratulations to All Saints International Centre on its successful completion of a Quality Assurance Management Meeting, which confirms the Centre’s continued Quality Endorsement. A structured Management Meeting was conducted as a substitute for the Quality Review in 2022, due to the ongoing circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. The Management Meeting covered core areas of the NEAS Quality Assurance Framework, as well as additional areas of significance for the Centre.

Since the Australian borders reopened to student visa holders, enrolment numbers for the Centre have been strong. At the same time, there have been challenges with visa delays, as well as adjustments required to switch temporarily from onsite classes to streamed delivery, to cater for those leaners testing positive for COVID-19. During the past year, All Saints International Centre has produced a purpose-designed Pastoral Care course for international students and staff. The special program includes an insightful facilitator guide and student workbook, and is intended for use for one to two hours per week over a school year. The purpose of this significant publication is to assist students in settling into their study and life in Australia, and the Centre is commended for its dedication to student care. Staff professional development and careful monitoring of student participation and attendance have been consistently maintained.

August 2022

Congratulations to ELS Language Centres Malaysia on its successful completion of a Quality Assurance Management Meeting, which confirms the Centre’s continued Quality Endorsement. A structured Management Meeting was conducted as a substitute for the Quality Review in 2022.  The Management Meeting was conducted as part of the Onsite Visits to two campuses of ELS Language Centres Malaysia: ELS – Kuala Lumpur and ELS – Subang Jaya. Onsite Visits and Management Meetings are integral to the ongoing Quality Review cycle. The Management Meeting covered core areas of the NEAS Quality Assurance Framework, as well as additional areas of significance for the Centre.

The two campuses visited (ELS – Kuala Lumpur and ELS – Subang Jaya) offer the Certified Intensive English Program (CIEP), which supports students articulating into university courses at University Putra Malaysia (UPM) or University Technology Malaysia (UTM). Online delivery has been successful for ELS during the pandemic. As students gradually return to campus, some continue to follow courses online. ELS Language Centres Malaysia’s Online delivery in English Language Teaching (ELT) was Quality Endorsed by NEAS in 2020.

Summative assessment grades and attendance records at the end of each level determine whether a student can move to the next level. Every two weeks, individual learners are provided with a progress update, via a formal report. Remedial classes are available to support students academically. Students are asked to provide feedback throughout the year and the surveys returned have a major impact on decision making in the course review process. Student welfare is maintained through assigning one qualified counsellor for each class. A structured yearly professional development (PD) calendar for staff ensures that at least one PD session is held per quarter, in addition to monthly faculty meetings.

August 2022

Congratulations to Pusat Bahasa ELC (ELC Language Centre), Malaysia, on its successful completion of a Quality Assurance Management Meeting, which confirms the Centre’s continued Quality Endorsement. A structured Management Meeting was conducted as part of the Onsite Visit to ELC Language Centre – City Campus. Onsite Visits and Management Meetings are integral to the ongoing Quality Review cycle. The Management Meeting covered core areas of the NEAS Quality Assurance Framework, as well as additional areas of significance for the Centre (read more…)

The Centre is a sibling campus of ELC Sydney and offers English language courses from Starter level to Upper Intermediate and IELTS preparation. The courses support students articulating into university studies at the National University of Malaysia and the University of Wollongong KDU. The Centre also has an ELICOS operation within UOW Malaysia (temporarily closed due to ongoing COVID-19 challenges). Courses run in blocks of 12 weeks per level. Students are assessed weekly in class under test conditions and a formal summative assessment is held at the end of the 12-week cycle. Students provide feedback to the Centre via online surveys, and this is further enhanced by focus group discussions with students that cover relevant topics, such as accommodation, conditions at the Centre, and the students’ overall experience. Student welfare is maintained through the provision of a dedicated Welfare Officer. A yearly calendar for professional development (PD) for staff features two workshops per month, based mostly on topics that are suggested by the teachers. The Management Team conduct weekly meetings, which inform PD opportunities as well.

August 2022

NEAS congratulates Moreton Bay Colleges International for becoming the latest Quality Endorsed Member! The Centre serves international students of two independent schools of the Uniting Church tradition: a day school for girls (Moreton Bay College, established in 1901) and a sibling school for boys (Moreton Bay Boys’ College, established in 2003). The Centre lodged a comprehensive application for NEAS Quality Endorsement, and Pending status was conferred by the NEAS Endorsement Committee in August 2020. NEAS Quality Endorsement is granted and maintained through a distinctive 360-degree stakeholder-driven feedback model, which is informed by input from students, teachers and professional staff. With the disruptions to international travel arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated impact on student mobility and teacher employment, the Centre’s application had successfully undergone NEAS audit, while its designation as an Endorsed Centre was pending a concluding Quality Endorsement Meeting involving the participation of students and staff. Upon the reopening of Australia’s international borders and the return of international enrolments, Moreton Bay Colleges International coordinated with NEAS to conduct an in-person Quality Endorsement Meeting in July 2022.

Whilst the High School Preparation (HSP) course at the Centre is new, it has been written by experienced HSP staff, who draw on an understanding of students’ needs and backgrounds. Students are being prepared for entry into their appropriate year level, and formative assessment items are based on future school assessment types and appropriate scaffolding occurs in classes. Ongoing liaison between the High School Preparation teachers and mainstream teachers is facilitated to support students’ transition. Independence is encouraged through participation in mainstream classes, and this arrangement creates strong motivation in students. Orientation to life and study in Australia is integral to the course. Students also have access to Sonder, an on-demand wellbeing service, which boasts 24/7 attention by a range of professional staff providing safety, medical and mental health support. Korean and Chinese-speaking tutors are employed by the sibling Colleges to assist students. Homestay placement surveys are in place, and together with ongoing contact with agents, the Centre gains valuable information about their students’ experience.

17 August 2022.

NEAS would like to celebrate the Quality Endorsement of Hoa Sen University, Vietnam. Hoa Sen University is an established, private, multidisciplinary university in Ho Chi Minh City. The English for International Communication (EIC) Program is provided for first and second-year university students and is designed to prepare students to study their third and fourth-year programs in English as the medium of instruction.

Hoa Sen’s program is dynamic with the provision of projects and workshops providing opportunities for real communication activities, and self-directed learning at home through a well-designed Learning Management System. Students enjoy a friendly learning environment and spoke of ‘gentle’ teachers who encourage student participation.

Congratulations to Hoa Sen University for its commitment to providing quality education!

June 2022

Congratulations to the Aussizz Group (Aussizz) on achieving NEAS Endorsement in the Quality Education Agent category. Founded in 2009, Aussizz is an Australian-registered education and migration consultant agency that has grown over the past 15 years to operate 25 offices in four nations, recruiting students from multiple countries, including Australia, New Zealand, India and the UAE. In addition to Australia, Aussizz counsels students destined for the United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom and New Zealand.

Aussizz has partnership agreements with many NEAS members and is itself a member of the International Student Education Agents Association (ISEAA), Australia India Business Council, Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA), Professional International Education Resources (PIER) and Migration Alliance and Migration Institute of Australia (MIA).

NEAS assessed Aussizz’s application using Quality Area J of the NEAS Quality Assurance Framework, focussing on these important principles: the presence of an ethical framework underpinning the practices of the agency and its counsellors; provision of information to stakeholders that is ethical, accurate and consistent; use of governance structures that are effective and transparent; supporting a performance and development culture for staff; implementing systematic risk management processes; and routinely obtaining stakeholder feedback to inform the continuous improvement of services.

NEAS uses a unique 360-degree stakeholder feedback model in its review processes. During telephone discussions with partner providers and students, these stakeholders confirmed that Aussizz seeks regular feedback from them regarding their services. One provider claimed “they are some of the best in practice”, while another said, “issues are dealt with immediately” and a third enthusiastically declared “they are all really good …know their stuff”. One provider also commended Aussizz for winning their Admissions Award three years in a row. Clients in the telephone discussions were delighted with the way Aussizz handled their application.

June 2022

Southern Cross University (SCU) College offers preparation and pathway programs to international students to prepare them for success in university and beyond. Creating a supportive language environment, the College empowers students to develop their language and academic skills, as well as their confidence. In June 2021, NEAS and SCU College worked together to conduct a quality assessment of the Centre’s online English for Academic Purposes (EAP) and General English (GE) programs, as part of a project funded by Trade Investment Queensland. As a result of the initiative, a dedicated NEAS Report was produced, noting areas of best practice alongside specific recommendations for ongoing improvements.

Twelve months later, a special Management Meeting was held, which served as a review mechanism to assess the updates and revisions that were applied to the College’s Learning Management Systems (LMS) and interactive resources, in alignment with the recommendations made in the earlier report. As with the Quality Assurance exercise in 2021, the recent review of 2022 measured the course enhancements against the Quality Principles in Area H: Online Delivery. These Quality Principles focus on: ensuring the design of the online environment supports a positive and engaging user experience; the appropriateness of learning and assessment strategies for virtual delivery; provision of learning resources and technology to facilitate learning; and the presence of an integrated reporting system to support the online courses.

NEAS acknowledges the improvements that have been methodically implemented, and commends the College for its adept use of the University’s LMS in acculturating pathway students to future systems. Also commendable was the creation of new learner-centred format of scaffolded online lessons featuring a combination of resources aligned to the learning outcomes and assessments for each weekly unit. The implementation of explicit learning outcomes into Blackboard Accordion menus across courses form part of an integrated reporting system, and changing from Blackboard Collaborate to a Blackboard integrated Zoom application improved further the learner experience.

June 2022