The base is slowly shifting from US universities to Australian universities for Indian students wanting to study abroad.
The base is slowly shifting from US universities to Australian universities for Indian students wanting to study abroad. Newly-released statistics by the Australian Education International on enrollment of Indian students in Australian universities observed an increase of 38.9 per cent from last year as on March 2009. Australian universities, as on March 2009, had 75,000 Indian students enrolled for various courses.
According to the Open Doors 2008 report released by the Institute of International Education in US, the number of Indian students in US universities was at 94,563 — an all time high. However, reports by international higher education professionals suggest that Indian students are slowly shifting their base to countries like Australia, New Zealand etc. “Students are wary about joining US universities due to the dismal job situation. More students are applying in Australia and New Zealand,” said Anand Palav, study abroad counsellor, Andheri.
Looking closely, Rahul Choudaha, higher educational professional from New York observes, “A majority of Indian students in Australia are enrolled in Vocational Education and Training sector (VET). Around 62 per cent of the total Indian students are enrolled in these courses.”
“The VET courses offer diploma and advanced diploma in several fields such as reflexology, air craft maintenance, tool designing, electronic engineering technician, etc. Since these courses are industry focussed, there are lot of takers among Indian students,” said Palav.
Amit Manik, 22, who has done his graduation in commerce is planning to take up a diploma in Hospitality Management from an Australian university. “Vocational educational courses offer better scope in Australia than anywhere else. They also guarantee job offers once the course is complete. The course also takes less time, ranging from six months to a year,” said Manik.
According to experts, this suggests a new segment of Australia-bound Indian students. “This new segment of aspirational students in India are seeking international vocational education at an affordable price with opportunities for immigration. Australia seems to be fulfilling this aspiration for a large number of Indian students which the US colleges have completely missed out,” observed Choudaha.
He further added that, according to the Open Doors report 2007/08, Indians ranked number 1 in enrollment in higher education studies (94,563) but ranked number seven in vocational education in the US (1741).
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}