12 March 2026
THE PIE LIVE ASIA PACIFIC RETURNS TO THE GOLD COAST IN 2026
Experience Gold Coast is proud to bring The PIE Live Asia Pacific back to the Gold Coast in 2026, reinforcing the city’s position as one of Australia’s leading destinations for international education collaboration. The conference will take place on 28–29 July 2026 at HOTA – Home of the Arts, with the PIE High networking event on 27 July kicking off the week of activities.
Recognised globally as one of the most influential events in the international education sector, The PIE Live Asia Pacific will bring together over 375 attendees from more than 200 organisations across 19 countries, including universities, English language schools, vocational providers, agents, policymakers and government representatives. The event will feature 60+ expert speakers and over 30 sponsors and exhibitors, sharing insights and discussing key challenges and opportunities across the Asia Pacific region.
As Headline Sponsor, Experience Gold Coast will welcome international delegates and showcase the Gold Coast’s strong education ecosystem, industry connections and vibrant lifestyle.
Exclusive discounted tickets are available for Experience Gold Coast partners. For more information, contact gus.cominese@experiencegoldcoast.com.
INDIAN UNIVERSITY LEADERS VISIT GOLD COAST TO ADVANCE AUSTRALIA INDIA EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS
Experience Gold Coast, in partnership with Austrade, hosted a networking event honouring the Indian University Founders and Vice Chancellors Delegation at the iconic Home of the Arts (HOTA). Set against the HOTA lakeside, the evening brought together senior education leaders and stakeholders to strengthen partnerships between Australia and India.
The event comes at a pivotal time for Australia’s international education sector. Nationally, international student numbers are forecast to grow by only 2% annually, reaching approximately 770,000 by 2030, with China and India projected to account for 46% of enrolments. On the Gold Coast, India continues to be second largest source market, with enrolments increasing by more than 50% from the pre-pandemic peak in 2019 to 2024.
The delegation represented some of India’s most dynamic and globally connected institutions including Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Parul University, Poornima & JIET Group of Institutions, Bennett University, Jain University, and Vignan Group, collectively representing more than 300,000 students. Their priorities focused on commercial research collaboration, articulation pathways, and industry-integrated programs aligned with technology, health, engineering, and sport - areas where the Gold Coast offers strong capabilities and infrastructure.
Mukund Narayanamurti, Minister Commercial, General Manager, and Head of Austrade South Asia, delivered the dinner address, underscoring the strategic depth and long-term potential of India–Australia education partnerships and the critical role institutions play in driving research, innovation and graduate outcomes across both nations. Vik Singh, Trade and Investment Commissioner, Austrade South Asia, concluded the evening with a vote of thanks, reinforcing the shared commitment to ongoing collaboration and sustained engagement.
With strong institutional capability, growing outbound mobility from India and clear interest in industry-connected education models, the Gold Coast is well-positioned to strengthen its footprint in one of the world’s fastest-growing higher education markets. The evening closed with genuine optimism and a pipeline of promising collaborations now actively taking shape.
STUDENT HUB EXCURSION TO MT TAMBORINE RAINFOREST AND GLOW WORM TOUR
In February, the Gold Coast Student Hub took 23 students to Mount Tamborine for a rainforest and glow worm night tour. Students enjoyed a torchlit walk to Curtis Falls, witnessed the magical glow worms, and were treated to a complimentary hot drink and cake, all at a heavily reduced student price of $49 (usually $119).
THE GOLD COAST STUDENT HUB CELEBRATES LUNAR NEW YEAR
The Gold Coast Student Hub celebrated Lunar New Year across two vibrant events, welcoming over 110 students. Students enjoyed lucky dumplings and trivia while learning about Lunar New Year traditions, as well as creating lanterns and writing their goals and dreams on wish ribbons to set positive intentions for the year ahead. The celebrations continued at our Lunar New Year social lunch, featuring traditional Thai catering and cultural activities from various countries that observe the Lunar New Year.
GOLD COAST STUDENT HUB SWIM CLUB WRAPS UP
February marked the conclusion of our six-week Swim Club initiative, a learn-to-swim program designed for international students on the Gold Coast. Twenty students from seven institutions across the Gold Coast attended weekly classes, building water confidence, survival skills and foundational swimming strokes. The program received overwhelmingly positive feedback and strong demand, with students proudly receiving certificates and sharing that feeling safe in and around the water is essential to enjoying the Gold Coast lifestyle.
KICKSTART 2026 PROGRAM LAUNCHES AT HOTA
Experience Gold Coast, in partnership with the City of Gold Coast, hosted the ‘Kickstart! Welcome and Program Navigation’ session on Friday 27 February at the Panorama Room, HOTA, marking Session 1 and the official start of the 2026 program. The event welcomed 28 participants from eight local companies.
Kickstart is an exclusive professional development program designed for Gold Coast businesses looking to accelerate the growth, confidence and workplace readiness of their early-career employees.
Endorsed by the City of Gold Coast, the program equips graduates with practical skills, industry awareness and professional capabilities needed to thrive in the workplace while remaining fully engaged in their day-to-day roles.
During the first session, participants and managers were introduced to the program structure, learning outcomes and key opportunities for collaboration throughout the year. The session also provided a valuable opportunity for professionals from different organisations to connect and begin building a strong network across the Gold Coast business community.
CAREERS ALLIANCE NETWORKING EVENT AT HOTA
The Careers Alliance Network will host a Careers Alliance Networking Event on Tuesday, 17 March 2026, at HOTA – Home of the Arts, bringing together educators and industry professionals who support students in career development and employment pathways.
Meeting at HOTA Café at 8:30am, the event will explore how young people can build careers in the film and creative arts industries on the Gold Coast. Attendees will gain insights into skill shortages, the impact of AI on creative careers and how to navigate the gig economy.
The morning will also include a behind-the-scenes look at the Gold Coast cultural precinct, followed by a panel discussion and networking morning tea.
The Careers Alliance Network meets regularly throughout the year, providing opportunities for professionals involved in career education, guidance and industry engagement to share best practice and strengthen connections across the Gold Coast.
GOLD COAST STUDENTS TAKE THE LEAD IN 2026 JUNIOR COUNCIL
A big shout out to the outstanding students from Experience Gold Coast partner schools who have been selected to represent the next generation of civic leaders through the 2026 Junior Council Executive Committee.
Acting Mayor Mark Hammel officially swore in the new executive team at Council Chambers, recognising their leadership and commitment to the Gold Coast community.
Congratulations to Olivia Voight from Saint Stephen’s College, who was appointed the 34th Junior Mayor, and Sejal Verma from King’s Christian College, who will serve as Deputy Junior Mayor.
They are joined by fellow executive members Ashana Forrest (Palm Beach Currumbin State High), Rose D’Alisa (A.B. Paterson College), Sarika Katoch (St Hilda’s School), Olivia Vanderkemp (Pimpama State Secondary College) and Timothy Wissa (Queensland Academies Health Sciences Campus).
The Junior Council program brings together 150 Year 10 and 11 students from 40 Gold Coast schools, providing a platform to develop leadership, public speaking and networking skills while gaining insight into the role of local government.
Congratulations to all students involved and to the schools supporting the next generation of Gold Coast leaders.
APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR 2026 TAIPEI CITY SCHOLARSHIP FOR GOLD COAST RESIDENTS
Applications are now open for the 2026 Taipei City Scholarship for Foreign Learners of Chinese, offering a unique opportunity for a Gold Coast resident to study Chinese in Taipei for 12 months.
The scholarship is part of the long-standing Sister City relationship between the City of Gold Coast and Taipei City, established in 1982, and aims to strengthen cultural exchange, international collaboration and people-to-people connections.
The Taipei City Government will award 10 scholarships to residents from its global sister cities, allowing recipients to study Chinese at one of three affiliated language centres in Taipei. Each scholarship provides a monthly stipend of NT$25,000 from September 2026 to August 2027, helping cover tuition, accommodation, health insurance and living expenses.
Applicants must be Australian citizens and Gold Coast residents with a strong interest in learning Chinese and experiencing Taiwanese culture.
Expressions of Interest must be submitted to the Office of the Mayor by 8 April 2026, with shortlisted applicants receiving a letter of recommendation from the Mayor to support their final application.
QUICK SNIPPETS
- From 1 March 2026, the Australian Government doubled the Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) application fee from $2,300 to $4,600. Read more.
- International education in Australia has long relied on strong partnerships across sectors, particularly pathways from ELICOS (English language programs) into higher education. However, recent data shows a major shift, with around 80% of international students now entering higher education directly. Read more.
- Student-generated content is becoming a powerful marketing tool in education, as prospective students increasingly trust authentic stories shared by their peers. However, much of this content cannot be used by institutions due to quality or structure issues. To address this, Insider launched Insider Academy, a training platform that teaches students practical skills in filming, editing and storytelling so their content is authentic and ready for institutional marketing. Already piloted with 200+ students across 20 institutions, the program also provides micro-credentials and valuable digital skills that enhance student employability. Read more.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Experience Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.