Victoria launches USD 14 million programme for intl students

Natasha Chaku

Melbourne, Sep 21 (PTI) As he prepared to leave for
New Delhi to reassure India that his country was safe for its
students, Victorian Premier John Brumby Monday announced a USD
14 million boost to secure the long-term future of the state's
international education industry.

Launching the project 'Thinking Global' with a Ganesh
puja, Brumby said the quality of international education would
include audit of high risk providers and will also include
extension of current rapid audit to cover an extra 24
providers in next four months time.

Brumby, who will arrive in India Tuesady, will meet
officials, students business leaders and the Indian media "to
ensure the message is heard loud and clear that Victoria is a
welcoming, multicultiral place."

Brumby said his trip was of utmost importance in view of
attacks against Indian students here. He said his trip
signified that the relationship between the two sides were
strong and positive and that Australia was keen to further
boost the ties.

Of the USD 14 million, the government will spend USD 1.4
million on maintaining the quality of its international
education apart from USD 0.9 million on buddy programme to
support overseas students living in Victoria.

"The key initiatives will include extending state's
education service managers, international scholarship
programme, expert reference group." PTI NC
JVN