NEWS

Congratulations to Smart Education Link for achieving NEAS endorsement in the Quality Education Agent category! Smart Education Link, an Australian-registered education agency, has been recruiting international students from its Sydney office since 2012. The agency focuses on recruiting students from Indonesia; it also services students from Southeast Asia (Thailand and the Philippines) and Northeast Asia (Japan and South Korea). Most students enrol in vocational education training courses. Smart Education Link offers a range of support services, including document translation by NAATI accredited or sworn translators, complimentary Australian SIM cards pre-arrival, and airport transfer services upon request. The agency has partnership agreements with NEAS members and is a member of the International Student Education Agents Association (ISEAA). 

NEAS assessed Smart Education Link’s application using Area J of the NEAS Quality Assurance Framework, focusing on these important Quality 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. More information on Area J can be referenced here: https://neas.org.au/resources/neas-quality-framework/#area-j.  

NEAS employs a unique 360-degree stakeholder feedback model in its Quality Review processes, gathering structured feedback through telephone interviews with partner providers and students. This direct feedback consistently highlighted the agency’s high-quality results, with all providers reporting no issues with visa refusals and praising the high quality of Smart Education Link students. Student interviews emphasised the agency’s exceptional care and professionalism, particularly noting how staff attentively listened to their needs. Providers also commended the agency’s professionalism and quality over the years, reinforcing the positive feedback. A recurring theme from the stakeholder interviews was the agency’s strong focus on compliance with legal requirements and related processes. Students appreciated the detailed information and support provided by the agency, with comments like, “She gave me a lot of information on what I have to and don’t have to do because [I] didn’t know about the student visa process in Australia and she answered all my questions…which is what I really like and appreciate.” Providers echoed this sentiment, highlighting the agency’s understanding of industry regulations and their commitment to educating students on these matters. 

June 2024

NEAS congratulates The Rockhampton English Language Academy (RELA) of The Rockhampton Grammar School (RGS) on becoming the latest Quality Endorsed Member! RGS is a well-established boarding and day school dating back to its establishment in 1881. It has a strong connection and reputation with the Central Queensland region, a robust alumni network, a dedicated Board of Trustees, and a reputation for quality educational outcomes and duty of care. RGS is a member of the Independent Schools Association and complies with Education Queensland standards and regulations. The School has a keen interest in developing international connections through its English for High School course and RELA. RGS caters to international students at the primary, junior, and senior levels. 

The centre lodged a comprehensive application for NEAS quality endorsement, and Pending status was conferred by the NEAS Endorsement Committee during the border closure. 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 assessment, while its designation as an Endorsed Centre was pending a concluding Quality Endorsement Meeting involving the participation of students on campus. Upon the reopening of Australia’s international borders and the return of international enrolments, RELA coordinated with NEAS to conduct an in-person Quality Endorsement Meeting in May 2024. 

Students in the focus group expressed satisfaction with the quality of teaching and the individual attention they received from their teachers. RGS staff visit market countries to run focus groups with parents and agents, ensuring that the application and enrolment process is easy and clear. Teachers in the focus group reported that classroom and teaching resources are of a very high standard. Staff in focus groups also commented that induction and performance development are thorough and ongoing. Learning outcomes of the English for High School course are based on the Pearson Global Scale of English (GSE) and aligned with Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) ‘can do’ statements, with particular emphasis on the skills needed for mainstream programs, especially in science and math. Most international students live on campus and a comprehensive boarding program is offered. New students are teamed up with a different buddy each term. 

June 2024

Sarina Russo Institute (SRI) is renowned for its commitment to providing high-quality vocational and academic education. With an emphasis on equipping students with practical skills and knowledge, SRI delivers programs tailored to meet industry demands. One of its key offerings includes English language courses, which are designed to align with international standards such as the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) and the Global Scale of English (GSE). These courses aim to enhance students’ language proficiency, ensuring they are well-prepared for further education and career opportunities. 

In 2021, SRI’s online Bridging English Entry Program (BEEP) was awarded NEAS quality endorsement. Since this endorsement, SRI has striven to align its lower-level courses to the same standards of online delivery so that these courses can be run either face-to-face, online, or in a hybrid/blended mode. Although currently operating in face-to-face mode, Unipath 2 can be run as a fully remote online course via the Blackboard LMS and Collaborate Tool. 

Online delivery is reviewed 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. Please refer to this section of the NEAS Quality Assurance Framework for further information: https://neas.org.au/resources/neas-quality-framework/#area-h.  

The Unipath 2 and BEEP courses, each spanning ten weeks, enable students to progress to James Cook University Brisbane (JCUB) undergraduate and postgraduate courses respectively at direct entry level. SRI aims to acculturate students to the academic skills required for JCUB undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. By focusing on key Blackboard tools, SRI provides students with the online operability needed for success in subsequent pathway courses. The Unipath 2 course demonstrates a high degree of accessibility in terms of format, layout, font choice, and font size. The course pages feature good visual design and effective use of images, with a wide range of learning and consolidation activities for learners to choose from. Students commented favourably on the materials, content, and accessibility, and both students and staff rated the instructional language highly. SRI has ensured that instructional and content language falls within the word frequency ranges appropriate for current students’ levels. 

June 2024

Congratulations to Cairns College of English and Business (CCEB) for completing a successful Quality Review Activity with NEAS.

CCEB has completed a Self-Assessment activity. This activity supports member institutions in evaluating their quality and planning for continuous improvement. Through the Self-Assessment, CCEB has reviewed its practices, incorporated feedback, and set forth actionable goals for enhancement.

CCEB is set to elevate its educational standards by implementing NEAS templates for moderation and validation to ensure courses align seamlessly with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and with the ‘Can Do’ statements displayed in classrooms.
To safeguard the well-being of under-18 students, all visitors will undergo Blue Card (Working with Children Check) status checks, and those without a Blue Card will be accompanied throughout their visit. In a further commitment to safety, CCEB plans to conduct a comprehensive review of its Work Health and Safety (WHS) plan within the next six months and has begun a three-month trial of a new Safety Management System.

CCEB’s dedication to incorporating feedback from previous NEAS Quality Review activities into its planning highlights its commitment to excellence and continuous development.

May 2024

Congratulations to Sunshine Coast International College (SCIC) on completing a successful Quality Review Activity with NEAS.

Conveniently situated in the city centre, SCIC’s campus is being modernised to better cater to its diverse student body. Students come to SCIC from Southeast Asian countries, primarily China and Vietnam, and South American countries, mainly Brazil and Colombia. Students are enrolled in General English from Beginner to Upper Intermediate, English for Academic Purposes (EAP), and Cambridge English Advanced courses, offered in the morning and evening. At SCIC, students receive comprehensive support, including course information, assessment details, and welfare support, provided during orientation sessions and outlined in the SCIC Student Handbook.

Under the expert guidance of Academic Manager, Fariba Soltan, SCIC has been actively enhancing its organisational culture and academic standards by implementing various initiatives, including revamping teacher induction and mentoring processes, refining course offerings and assessment processes in response to government changes to English language requirements for student visas, and prioritising professional development for its teaching staff. Emphasising excellence, SCIC has adopted a new assessment rating system, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), aligned with international standards, and conducts regular performance appraisals for teachers, while actively incorporating student and teacher feedback into curriculum updates.

May 2024

NEAS congratulates Times Academy on completing a recent quality review activity.

Times Academy has demonstrated its dedication to excellence through proactive measures aimed at enhancing its operations during a recent Self-Assessment activity. The centre highlighted several key action items geared towards continual improvement and adherence to quality standards.

One of the primary action plans is to strengthen its course evaluation processes by engaging teachers in assessment validation workshops. The centre has also unveiled strategies to ensure the ethical and accurate promotion of its offerings. This includes providing targeted workshops for new staff and reinforcing marketing staff’s understanding of recruitment processes. Moreover, the centre is actively working on enhancing safety protocols and risk management strategies for students under 18.

This proactive approach to self-assessment and continuous improvement exemplifies Times Academy’s commitment to delivering high-quality education in a safe and supportive environment.

May 2024

NEAS congratulates Native English College on becoming the latest quality endorsed member. Since opening its doors in January, Native English College has welcomed students both onshore and offshore, benefiting from an active marketing department and strong relationships with agents. The college fosters a culture of friendliness, professionalism, and familial support. Open communication is a hallmark of its culture, further enhanced by excursions and other extracurricular activities.

NEAS uses a 360-degree stakeholder feedback approach in its quality endorsement process, collating and analysing input from stakeholders. During recent focus group sessions at Native English College, students expressed satisfaction with the course design and outcomes, finding them suitable for their pathways. Feedback from NEAS student surveys was overwhelmingly positive, with nearly 100% of students praising the course delivery, assessment, and teaching approaches.

The supportive culture at Native English College was also emphasised, with one respondent commenting, ‘It is a very nurturing environment, both for teachers and students.’ Excursions and other extracurricular activities further enhance the student experience by providing opportunities for students to enjoy each other’s company, communicate in English, and be supervised by a teacher.

May 2024