Aussie institute plans tie-ups with IIMs, IITs

Australia Education International (AEI) of the government of Australia has plans to tie up with Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and collaborate with Indian Institutes of Technologies (IITs) and business schools for technical courses.

Currently, AEI has an alliance with Lady Sriram College, Delhi University, Ana University and private institutes such as Amity in New Delhi.

Henry A S Ledlie, director, India, IDP Education Australia, said: "Seeing the huge demand for quality education from Indian students, the Australian government is talking with IIMs for tie-ups to encourage Indian students for quality study in Australia."

Henry said the demand for Indian students going to Australia for higher study has been rising tremendously. In 1994, Australia had issued visas to 300 Indian students and in 2004 more than 23,000 students have enrolled for various courses in Australia.

"We are expecting around 80,000 students to come for technical courses to Australia by 2025," Henry said.

Talking on course fees and visa, Henry said education in Australia is 40-80 per cent cheaper compare with the US and UK. The visa payment has became web-based named E-visa and to get a visa one has to pay $15,200 through credit cards.

About the demand from India for higher and technical studies in Australia, Henry said lack of proper infrastructure and shortage of technical and professional seats in India force students to take up higher studies in Australia.

Moreover, Australia offers 12,000 different courses such as Master in Business Administration (MBA), hotel management, finance and banking and new courses like bio-technology and bio-informatics.

"Indian students are remarkably bright but in India they are not getting the exposure and proper educational environment to grow and build a shinning career," said Radhika Khachar, manager, IDP Education Australia, which organised an interview session here on Friday.

She said at least 3,500 students from Gujarat are expected to enroll for different courses in Australia in the one-day interview session in Ahmedabad.