Australian high commissioner Peter Varghese on Tuesday visited the city and assured Bangalore students “a safe and positive experience” in his country if they chose to take up higher studies there.
In a damage control mode after a series of attacks on Indians in Australia, some of which were fatal, Varghese sought to stop the decline in the number of Indian students going to Australia for higher studies.
The Australian immigration department has estimated a 46% drop in the number of Indians applying for students visas in Australia this year.
He said the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Bill in Australia, once passed, would protect the interests of international students, including those from India. The bill seeks re-registration of all Australian education providers to international students before December 31, 2010.
Varghese, who is of Indian origin, said after meeting governor HR Bharadwaj that Australian and Indian governments were working together to deal with fraudulent agents here who sent students to illegal or below par institutions in Australia.
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