Racial Attacks on Indians cost Australia $400 mn
A steep fall of over USD 400 million has been recorded by Australia in the backdrop of attack on Indian students, crackdown on dodgy private colleges by the government and the high currency value of Australian dollar.
As per a report in The Australian, Universities Australia, the apex university body, confirmed a forecast estimate of a 16 to 20 per cent drop in higher education visas.
In a report in Indian Express, UA chief Glenn Withers was quoted as saying, "There has been a fall in offshore visa grants for higher education of 14,422 for the first nine months of this financial year (to March 2010), compared with the same nine-month period a year earlier." He also added that there was a 20 per cent drop from a base of 69,827 to 55,405.
This fall in number of international students is not only causing a havoc in Australian economy, but also bringing a dispute and difference of opinion between country's education and immigration authorities over new immigration rules being set for foreign students. While the former is in favour a "softer line" to build the troubled industry, the immigration ministry was for "a tougher stance", the report said quoting a source.
Source: Shiksha Team
Date: 25th June, 2010
For further details about related courses and colleges please click below:
