SESSION OVERVIEW
This presentation and interactive discussion will explore how student unions, associations, guilds and student support teams can better support international students beyond orientation and one-off engagement activities. Drawing on student-led advocacy and representative work through the International Students Representative Council of Australia (ISRC), the session will examine common gaps in the international student experience, including access to clear information, culturally responsive engagement, welfare and wellbeing support, employability, affordability, and pathways into clubs, societies and student leadership.
The session will frame international students not only as service users, but as partners, contributors and emerging leaders. It will introduce a practical “belonging pathway” for campus teams: reaching students effectively, building trust, creating meaningful participation, connecting students with support, and translating recurring issues into advocacy and institutional change. Examples will include student-led campaigns and initiatives in transport affordability, affordable food on campus, career engagement, community events and national student representation.
Attendees will also learn how their organisations can collaborate with ISRC to share insights, identify emerging issues, promote opportunities, connect student leaders, and strengthen the national voice of international students.
By the end of this session, attendees will be able to:
- Identify common gaps in international student engagement, welfare, wellbeing and belonging on campus.
- Understand how events, marketing, clubs and societies, and student support services can work together rather than operate separately.
- Apply a practical belonging pathway to improve how their organisation reaches, supports and involves international students.
- Recognise international students as partners and leaders, not only as students who need support.
- Identify practical ways to collaborate with ISRC, including sharing student insights, promoting opportunities, connecting student leaders and supporting national advocacy
PRESENTER
Weihong Liang is the National President of the International Students Representative Council of Australia and a PhD candidate in Sociology at the University of Sydney, where his research focuses on state–society relations. He also serves as the postgraduate student Fellow of the University Senate, elected by and from the postgraduate student body, and previously served as President of the Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association.
In public and sector forums, Weihong brings a student-led policy perspective shaped by his work across international education, university governance and national advocacy. He is particularly interested in how universities, governments, industry and student organisations can work together to improve student participation, support and outcomes.
His work has long focused on fair access in higher education, especially affordability, employability and support for international students. He has led the New South Wales student public transport concessions campaign, advocated for affordable food on campus, coordinated career expos for international students, and supported stronger representative networks across Australia. Prior to his studies in Australia, he worked as a Human Resources Officer at ShanghaiTech University in China.