Edith Cowan University (ECU) takes out the WA State Government Export Awards 2023 International Education and Training Category for ECO UNLOCKED.
The Western Australian Export Awards recognise local companies; it’s a key platform for the State’s industry sectors to showcase export capability.
2023 marks the 35th anniversary of the awards. 13 categories profile the state’s diverse export range, acknowledging success and resilience across global markets.
ECU UNLOCKED, a unique agent familiarisation strategy, enabled education agents from 30 countries to experience a bespoke program showcasing the ‘best of the west’, and ECU’s value proposition.
An innovative aspect of the program is the interactive mobile-based game ‘ECU UNLOCKED: On-campus Challenge’. The app enables agents to explore ECU’s campus in groups, visiting and exploring key features. ECU UNLOCKED has a strong destination-based theme, created in collaboration with Study Perth, to profile the unique and diverse West Australian ecosystem.
Dean of International Business Operations, Marko Remes says, “ECU International takes immense pride in the recognition received, underscoring our pioneering approach in advancing internationalisation within the sector.”
Over 2 years, 13 regional cohorts of handpicked priority education agents were invited to Perth for a bespoke program, introducing them to the ‘best of the west’ and showcasing ECU as both a global university and industry partner.
The dynamic on-campus program, built in collaboration with ECU Schools, profiles world-class facilities and teaching expertise to global partners. Showcasing ECU as a top-ranked public university in Australia, it draws on results from the QILT undergraduate surveys for student experience, teaching quality, skills development and learning resources.
ECU regularly sit in the nation’s top 10 public universities for domestic and international student experience surveys through QILT, the Australian Government Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching.
Check out the ECU cheeky yet strategic nod to QILT in the winner’s profile video.
“Thinking outside the box is our superpower, and the recognition ECU UNLOCKED has received is a testament to our creativity and team spirit,” said Remes.
ECU is continuing to stamp its presence. ECU City, an $853m collaboration between ECU ($360m), the Australian Government ($294 million), the Western Australian Government ($199m), and the City of Perth, will bring the energy and vibrancy of more than 10,000 students and staff to the heart of Perth’s CBD.
ECU, through ECU UNLOCKED will give agents and international partners access to this ECU City initiative, aligned with the growing student housing portfolio investment that will see a 30-story student accommodation facility built in time to support the ECU 2026 city intake.
Meanwhile, reviews from agents describe ECU UNLOCKED as “an invaluable experience, meticulously crafted, providing an opportunity to connect with ECU staff,” says Stefan Tapescu from the Multipath Expert Agency. “It has equipped us with deeper insights and understanding, which will undoubtedly assist in supporting prospective students in their journey to ECU.”
The program is a key tool for ECU in profiling a distinctive learning environment and unique campus setting for students to graduate ‘world ready’. The app is unlocking agent access to and awareness of ECU industry-relevant teaching and research and the supportive study environment.
Both branding and concept were developed in collaboration with the University’s Brand and Marketing team, reinforcing the impact of co-design to program success. Now assisting ECU to foster global partnerships and build a pipeline of quality students, ECU UNLOCKED is a key strategic tool for ECU and WA to create a shared competitive brand.
Congratulations to ECU from The Koala News.
Note: Awards are an initiative of the Government of Western Australia Department of Job Tourism, Science and Innovation and data has been sourced from QILT
