IDP Education - Experienced in international education and
development
Since 1969, IDP Education has played a major role in
international education and development. IDP operates in an
ever-changing environment and the organisation's success has been
built on its ability to adapt to change.
IDP was established in September 1969 as the Australian-Asian
Universities' Cooperation Scheme (AAUCS). Its mission was to
strengthen teaching and research in a number of institutions in
Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand. The organisation was
set up as an aid body, funded by the Australian Government. A
Standing Committee of the Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee
determined overall policy.
For two decades, IDP focused primarily on educational aid and
worked closely with government and institutions. As the aid program
expanded to include the South Pacific, the AAUCS name was changed
to accommodate non-Asian institutions. In 1981, AAUCS was re-named
the Australian Universities International Development Program.
However, by 1984, the contribution of Australian Colleges of
Advanced Education was recognised and the company's name became the
International Development Program (IDP) of Australian Universities
and Colleges. This name was changed to IDP Education Australia Ltd
in 1994.
IDP was gradually transformed into an organisation with three
major business arms – recruitment of international students,
English language testing, and management of international aid
projects.
In 2005 the 38 universities which are shareholders in IDP
Education Australia Ltd decided to transfer IDP’s business into a
new company IDP Education Pty Ltd. This transfer was effected in
September 2006.
It was announced on 9 August 2006 that SEEK Ltd is the preferred
bidder for a 50 per cent equity shareholding in IDP Education Pty
Ltd, with the other 50 per cent continuing to be held by university
shareholders through IDP Education Australia Ltd.
Recruiting international students for Australian
institutions
As a result of changes in Government aid policy, IDP undertook
initiatives in the mid-1980s to build a new business in student
recruitment through such activities as education counselling,
publications, exhibitions and English language testing.
IDP already had offices in Indonesia and the Philippines that
provided support for the AAUCS. However, in 1987, IDP set up an
office in Singapore specifically for student recruitment. In 2003,
IDP delivered international education services to students through
a network of over 50 offices around the globe.
The methods used by IDP to provide advice and assistance to
potential international students has given the organisation world
leadership in the student recruitment field. IDP became a model for
other countries, such as Canada and New Zealand, seeking to promote
their own systems of education.
Offering English language testing
In 1989, IDP joined in partnership with the University of
Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate and The British Council to
form IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
Australia. The first IELTS Australia centres were established in
the major cities in Australia and in a number of overseas countries
in 1990. Since then the network of IELTS Australia centres has
expanded greatly. The quality and reliability of IELTS has been
demonstrated through its recognition as the world's premier test
for English proficiency.
Managing project development across the world
IDP has also continued operating in the project development and
aid arena. The company currently manages a portfolio of project and
training activities in South East Asia, China, Southern Africa and
Central Europe. It now undertakes project development for
international bodies such as the Asian Development Bank and the
World Bank, in addition to the Australian Government's AusAID.
