Category: Press Release

It is with deep regret, we wish to inform you that on Monday 26 September 2022, NEAS Board Member Christine Bundesen AM passed away. Indeed, this is a huge loss of a fierce advocate and much-loved member of our community. We are saddened we have lost a great leader for the sector and the broader international education endeavour. Christine’s contribution over decades has been immense.

Christine Bundesen AM, served as Director of ICTE-UQ for over 30 years and was on the Board of NEAS from 2015. She was recipient of the inaugural IDP Outstanding Achievement in International Education Award in 1997, was awarded a Centenary Medal in 2001 for her “contributions to the reforms of the student visa program”, and personally drafted the original standards for the first National ELT Accreditation Scheme (NEAS) in 1989.

She was the cofounder of English Australia, in the early 1980s and went on to play a lead role in Australian English language training standards and accreditation in the 1990s. She was also instrumental in negotiating the first Australian Government Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 to protect the rights of international students in Australia. For her work, she was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in 2012 for service to the international education industry.

Christine was a national advocate for quality standards in English language training and a pioneer of the Australian international education industry, and today we honour her service and her life. The NEAS Board, Advisory Council and staff are grateful to have been able to share the NEAS conference in May this year with Christine and to see the joy and pride with which she received the well-deserved NEAS Lifetime Member award.

This is a great loss for NEAS and the industry, and our thoughts are with all her family and friends.

Our deepest sympathies,

Tanya, Patrick and the NEAS Board, Advisory Council and Staff

We are excited to announce that this year the English language programs at UOWD College celebrate 10 Years of NEAS Quality Assurance (QA).

Established in 1993, the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) stands proud as the first international Australian university to be established in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Over the years it has gone from strength to strength.

UOWD College is one of the fundamental pillars of UOWD and delivers a range of fit-for-purpose English language courses to support students in achieving their target levels in International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Occupational English Test (OET) assessments. Through the provision of high-quality English language courses, the College prepares students for real-world success in their academic and business endeavours.

A valued member of NEAS since its accreditation in November 2011, UOWD College notably delivers the following NEAS Quality Endorsed courses: Global English Skills (full-time program) and IELTS preparation courses.

Dr Debra McDermott, Director of UOWD College, said: “Celebrating a decade of NEAS Quality Assurance is testament to the integrity and quality of our courses and we are absolutely delighted to have maintained our accreditation for such a long period of time.

“The English language is a fundament skill for any student to progress in their academic journey and we value the support of NEAS in shaping the futures of the next generation.”

It is with a great sense of honour that we at NEAS congratulate UOWD College for its milestone 10-year commitment to NEAS QA. Well done!

PRESS RELEASE: 17 MARCH, 2022