Australia announces sweeping changes in intl education sector

Natasha Chaku

Melbourne, Aug 8 (PTI) Battered by a spate of attacks
on Indians and a slew of scams, Australia Saturday announced
an overhaul of its USD 15.5 billion international education
sector to resolve problems in accreditation, role of
recruitment agents and curriculum taught.

The sweeping changes, announced a day after
Australia's top leadership assured New Delhi that it would
ensure the safety of its students, include a review of the
legislation governing education services for overseas
students, focusing on four main areas - the welfare of
students, quality of services, regulation and the
sustainability of the industry.

Announcing the measures, Deputy Prime Minister Julia
Gillard, who is also the education minister, said former
Liberal MP Bruce Baird will head the government review into
Australia's international education sector, the nation's third
largest export industry, and set it right.

Her announcement comes after a series of reports of
racist violence against Indian students, shonky private
colleges providing dubious diplomas, visa abuses and the
collapse of educational institutions.

"Mr Baird will hold targeted forums with groups
including state and territory government officials, regulatory
bodies, education providers, student bodies and diplomatic
missions," she said in a statement.

"He will also draw from the results of the
international student round table to be held in Canberra in
early September," Gillard said, a day after visiting India's
External Affairs Minister S M Krishna met Australian Prime
Minister Kevin Rudd and his counterpart Stephen Smith and
discussed the problems faced by Indian students Down Under.

Baird admitted that Australia's reputation had been
damaged in recent times and said he believes the community
will be keen for action, mindful of being perceived as racist
or uncaring about students coming to this country.

"They'll want these issues addressed," he told AAP.

Around 95,000 Indian students pursue their higher
education in Australia, whose reputation as an education hub
for the region has taken a battering in recent months.

It took a hit following the outcry over violence
against international students, particularly Indians and the
problem has been exacerbated by claims of suspect education
providers exploiting their clients. At least 22 attacks on
Indian students have been reported in the past three months.

"We'll be looking at the general welfare of students
who come to our shores, as well as issues such as have we got
dodgy operators," Baird said.

He said much of Australia's work in the international
education sector is handled really well. But the bottom end of
the market needs to be scrutinised to ensure that "we're
delivering quality education".

Gillard said an issues paper would be released in
coming weeks, outlining the key areas for consideration.

Baird said he has been assured by Gillard that all
issues would be on the table as part of the review.

"They're not about to protect anything. From her point
of view it's about the interests of the students, the
accountability of providers and regulation and enforcement,"
he said.

"We've definitely got the attention of this government
... so you know when we bring forward recommendations, they
won't just be put in the bottom drawer."

Baird is due to provide an interim report by
November, to be considered by the Council of Australian
Governments (CoAG). His final report is due early next year,
the report said.

Welcoming the Australian government's announcements,
IDP Education, an international student recruitment agency,
said it was an "excellent" decision.

"It's very significant that this review is taking
place at a time when we need to think about this terribly
important industry," IDP chief executive Tony Pollock was
quoted as saying by ABC News. PTI AKJ
ANU
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