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Wednesday 10 March 2010
Some Aussie schools rip off foreigners
A review of Australia’s international education sector released Tuesday calls for tougher national accreditation and improved protection for foreign students who may be financially or otherwise exploited.
A review of Australia’s international education sector released Tuesday calls for tougher national accreditation and improved protection for foreign students who may be financially or otherwise exploited.
The federal government commissioned the review of the nation’s third-largest export industry _ worth about 17 billion Australian dollars ($15.5 billion) _ in the wake of attacks against international students and claims that some schools were taking advantage of foreigners.
Its release follows the closure of a handful of schools late last year that left students without tuition refunds or recognition of their earned credits.
The author of the report, former member of parliament Bruce Baird, said the education industry had been “distorted” by institutions that cashed in on foreigners’ desire to live in Australia rather than earn an education. He put that number at about 20 percent of the schools that provide education to foreigners.
“We have permanent residency factories,” he told reporters. “It is those groups that we should be directing our attention to.”
His report recommends the development of clear, enforceable standards for educational institutions, and fines for noncompliance.
Baird also proposed international student hubs in each state and territory to provide information and advocacy services, and an independent national ombudsman that could mediate any conflicts.
Baird said there was often not a sufficient attempt to integrate students into Australian life and that it had taken too long to find new places for students affected by school closures.
Education Minister Julia Gillard said the government would use Baird’s report, saying international education was important to Australia’s reputation and economy.
She said she supported stricter regulations of education agents and institutions in Australia but reiterated that studying here was not a free immigration pass.
“We’re saying to international students, come, study in this country, it’s a great place to study,” she said. “But the purpose of coming here as a student is to engage in study and end up with a qualification, not with an immigration pathway.”
Australia tightened its migration rules last month to favour applicants who already have job offers over those who merely have qualifications or who are studying. The measures are expected to dampen enrolment in Australian colleges by foreign students hoping to settle in the country.
Foreign student numbers in Australia have gone from 150,000 in 2002 to almost 400,000 last year, with India recently overtaking China as the largest source of applicants.
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Some Aussie schools rip off foreigners
AP
09 March 2010
A review of Australia’s international education sector released Tuesday calls for tougher national accreditation and improved protection for foreign students who may be financially or otherwise exploited.
The federal government commissioned the review of the nation’s third-largest export industry _ worth about 17 billion Australian dollars ($15.5 billion) _ in the wake of attacks against international students and claims that some schools were taking advantage of foreigners.
Its release follows the closure of a handful of schools late last year that left students without tuition refunds or recognition of their earned credits.
The author of the report, former member of parliament Bruce Baird, said the education industry had been “distorted” by institutions that cashed in on foreigners’ desire to live in Australia rather than earn an education. He put that number at about 20 percent of the schools that provide education to foreigners.
“We have permanent residency factories,” he told reporters. “It is those groups that we should be directing our attention to.”
His report recommends the development of clear, enforceable standards for educational institutions, and fines for noncompliance.
Baird also proposed international student hubs in each state and territory to provide information and advocacy services, and an independent national ombudsman that could mediate any conflicts.
Baird said there was often not a sufficient attempt to integrate students into Australian life and that it had taken too long to find new places for students affected by school closures.
Education Minister Julia Gillard said the government would use Baird’s report, saying international education was important to Australia’s reputation and economy.
She said she supported stricter regulations of education agents and institutions in Australia but reiterated that studying here was not a free immigration pass.
“We’re saying to international students, come, study in this country, it’s a great place to study,” she said. “But the purpose of coming here as a student is to engage in study and end up with a qualification, not with an immigration pathway.”
Australia tightened its migration rules last month to favour applicants who already have job offers over those who merely have qualifications or who are studying. The measures are expected to dampen enrolment in Australian colleges by foreign students hoping to settle in the country.
Foreign student numbers in Australia have gone from 150,000 in 2002 to almost 400,000 last year, with India recently overtaking China as the largest source of applicants.
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