Australia to review its international education programme
08 Aug 2009
The Australian government today announced plans for sweeping changes in its international education programme, a day after it assured New Delhi that it would ensure the safety of Indian students in that country.
The Rudd government, battered by a spate of attacks on Indians and a slew of scams, today announced an overhaul of the country's $15.5 billion international education sector to resolve problems of accreditation, curriculum and the role of recruitment agents.
The government has appointed a committee headed by former Liberal MP Bruce Baird to review Australia's international education sector, the nation's third largest export industry, education minister and deputy prime minister Julia Gillard said.
The Australian authorities had, on Friday, assured that they would do everything possible to ensure the safety of Indian students in that country. The review of legislation governing education services for overseas students is meant to ensure the welfare of students, quality of services, regulation and sustainability of the industry.
The announcement of education sector reform plans comes after a series of reports of racist violence against Indian students who are being lured by private colleges providing dubious diplomas and degrees.
On Friday, Australian leaders assured external affairs minister S M Krishna that every Indian student in this country would be protected.
"I am convinced of the assurances provided by the Australian side," he said after discussions with Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd and his counterpart Stephen Smith on the sidelines of the Pacific Island Forum.
"I am glad to say prime minister Rudd and foreign minister Smith have both assured me that the process is well under way to look into all the issues and put measures into place to resolve them," he said.