ISANA

Brief History

ISANA began as the Overseas Student Advisers’ Network (OSAN) in 1989, with Anne Skea as its founding president. It was formed as a special interest group of the Australian and New Zealand Student Services Association (ANZSSA), as a network of people in new roles of delivering support services to international students. OSAN, later renamed the International Student Advisers’ Network of Australia, conducted conferences, and addressed issues of international student experiences in Australia, developing the framework of discussion that we continue today.

From the beginning ISANA has worked closely with international student organisations, especially the National Liaison Committee, to ensure that information about students is current and direct, and sympathetic to student concerns.

In 1997 members voted to become an incorporated association, with its own constitution. The current logo was designed by Suzanne Lim, and launched by the then President, Margaret Hill in November 1998.

In 1999 the Association became ISANA: International Education Association, to reflect the broader roles its members have in the field, and currently represents professional staff working across Australia and New Zealand, which formed an ISANA branch in 2001.