In an ostensible bid to check the quality of Indian students its receives, Australia has barred almost 200 agents operating in a number of countries from lodging online student visa applications because of evidence of fraud or poor approval rates.
From India, around 51 agents have been suspended. However, around 500 agents, who send students to Australia, are said to be still operating in an unorganised manner.
“This measure has been taken in the light of the recent curry bashing incidents in Australia. The Australian authorities have decided to keep a check on the quality of Indian students the country receives, said Association of Australian Education Representatives in India (AAERI) President Gulshan Kumar Pathania.
AAERI is one-of-its-kind self regulatory body of education agents in the world. It was formed in October 1996 to assure the integrity and credibility of agents who are recruiting students on behalf of Australian education and training institutions.
“Both the governments are working on how to make the sector organised,” said Pathania.
International education is the third-largest source of overseas earnings for Australia, generating around $12 billion in 2008 and supporting more than 125,000 jobs.
Over 93,000 Indian students are currently pursuing higher education in Australia.
As on year-to-date April 2009, there were 436,895 enrolments by full-fee international students in Australia on a student visa.
China and India were the largest markets in both enrolments and commencements (starting date).
China accounted for 24.1 per cent of enrolments and 24.2 per cent of commencements and India accounted for 18.7 per cent and 16.7 per cent respectively.
“Management and Commerce” was the top broad field of education in the higher education sector, accounting for 47.1 per cent of enrolments and 47.5 per cent of commencements.
Almost 40 per cent of Indian students, who opt for international education destinations prefer the US, followed by 25 per cent for the UK, 20 per cent for Australia and the rest spread across Canada, Singapore, Dubai, New Zealand and other countries.
