More Australian universities offer cash help over coronavirus

Another Australian university has put cash on the line to secure the goodwill of its international students, with the Australian National University announcing financial assistance packages of up to A$5,000 (£2,570) for enrolees affected by the government’s coronavirus-related travel ban.

ANU deputy vice-chancellor Grady Venville said that the “travel restrictions relief bursary” was designed for students who had been unable to arrive on campus in time for the start of classes in late February, but intended to persist with their studies.

“This bursary is to assist you with costs reasonably incurred due to the travel restrictions, including self-isolation, travel, accommodation and other related expenses,” Professor Venville said in an email to students.

They would be able to use the bursary to cover rent for on-campus accommodation while they were unable to come to Australia, for example.

The gesture comes after former High Court judge and Macquarie University chancellor Michael Kirby urged Australian institutions to follow the University of Melbourne’s lead in committing funds to help international students caught up in the crisis.

Mr Kirby told the Universities Australia conference that Melbourne was “better able than many” to provide such assistance, but other universities should take note.

Melbourne’s assistance package of up to A$7,500, announced on 25 February, is designed to address “unanticipated expenses incurred as a result of the travel restrictions” and to “help students transition to or return to study at the University of Melbourne”. Eligible expenses include the costs of accommodation, unrecoverable flight changes, mandated 14-day self-isolation periods and technology upgrades.

A Melbourne spokesman stressed that the assistance package was not targeted at Chinese students travelling to Australia via other countries. “The university does not in any way provide travel advice or encourage the option of travel to Australia via a third country,” he said.

The University of Adelaide has also pledged reimbursements of up to A$2,000 for its international students affected by the travel restrictions. “The university is working to ensure that our students’ transition to campus – when they are able to be here – will be as smooth as possible,” a spokeswoman said.

“Once the travel restrictions are lifted and students are able to arrive in Adelaide, intensive face-to-face learning will resume. The government has indicated it will regularly review its advice and the travel restrictions.”

Meanwhile, Sydney’s Macquarie University has decided to immediately cease all international travel for university business. “The health and safety of our students and staff is critical in the rapidly evolving situation related to Covid-19,” said registrar Gail White.

She said that the embargo applied to all international travel booked prior to 4 April.

john.ross@timeshighereducation.com