Australia may soon overtake the US as an education destination for students from India. From 13,000 students in 2003 to 85,026 in 2008, it has been a phenomenal rise in enrolments in Australian universities.
MUMBAI: Australia may soon overtake the US as an education destination for students from India. From 13,000 students in 2003 to 85,026 in 2008, it has been a phenomenal rise in enrolments in Australian universities.
Though Indian students constitute the biggest chunk of foreign students on US campuses, the rise in number of enrolments in American universities this year was just 13% over last year. In the same period, enrolments in Australia jumped 51%.
Greater prospects for migration, lesser fees, and cost-effectiveness all add up to make kangaroo country an attraction option for students.
Kelly Raj, educational counsellor with the Australian high commission in New Delhi, said the increase is driven by a number of factors. “The quality of education offered in Australia, along with the nation’s open, friendly, multicultural society, generous work rights (students can work for up to 20 hours a week during their course and full-time during holidays), potential for migration, and exposure to research facilities have combined to boost the numbers,” he said.
Vocational education and training (VET) courses, which include a range from management, commerce, and engineering to food, hospitality, and personal services, are the most sought-after with enrolments highest in this category, according to figures provided by Australian Education International, a government body.
While the rise in higher education enrolments has been steady over four years, admissions under VET almost doubled from 2007 to 2008. Education counsellors say one big reason is fees are lower than in the US, UK, or Europe.
However, some counsellors expect more students to head for US colleges this year. “Due to the meltdown, many professionals are going back to school. The figures will go up in the next fiscal,” says Pranav Gandhi, CEO of career counselling firm Youngbuzz.
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