ACEN 2018 National Conference Proceedings

This paper investigates how connectedness in graduate employability is discussed in the current topography of Australian international education (IE) policies. Tensions are explored in contemporary media articles (Powell, 2018) where high levels of particularly Chinese students in business courses are questioning continuing to study in Australia, as many peers are also Chinese. In the Art and Design context of a large research-intensive university in Sydney, the Masters of Design postgraduate program attracts high numbers of international students (IS). Participating in real-world learning and Work Integrated Learning (WIL) in the Australian context is both an institutional and individual student aim, yet lack of curriculum articulation and opportunities for ‘connectedness’ with Australian creative industries can impede engagement. A selection of Australian IE policies, strategies and frameworks are reviewed to identify gaps in contextualising graduate connectedness capabilities from a government policy perspective. Four key themes emerge that support employability outcomes by higher education (HE) institutions engaging with quality teaching and learning, demonstrating careful management of IE experience, while supporting the development of partnerships and social networks. We argue that for many IS seeking a creative industry WIL experience, these connections can be difficult to achieve without greater institutional and policy support