Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal said on Thursday that Indian students continued to come to Australia for higher studies and the government had not "prevented them" from doing so, as the two countries signed a major deal on education.
Mr. Sibal told reporters as the education pact between India and Australia was signed that New Delhi wants to take the "relationship forward" with Canberra.
A joint ministerial statement was signed to expand the education exchange programme, Australian news agency AAP reported on Thursday.
An India- Australia Education Council comprising experts from both countries will now be set up. The relation between India and Australia had become sour following the fatal stabbing of Nitin Garg on January 2, 2010, in this city. A travel advisory had also been issued to Indian students coming to Australia.
Mr. Sibbal addressed the conference and laid stress on the fact that India is fully aware of what is happening in Australia and hoped the Australian government would take strong steps to ensure security of Indian students .He admitted also that attacks on Indians have surely declined
However it is recently revealed that international student numbers were down nationally three percent and 12 percent in Victoria. The drop in Indian student numbers in Victorian institutions was 40 percent, from 6303 to 3761
Signing the deal is fine but Australian government will have to ensure the safety of Indian students. The public mood is negative in Australia and Indians whether students or permanent residents continue to face the wrath of the Australians.
ReplyDeleteSafety is the most significant factor that majority percentage of students take into consideration that includes whether the country is open to accepting different cultures. Recent incidents of violence against Indians has proved Australia becoming a unpopular destination.
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