‘IELTS’ set to lose 'monopoly' in Australia

The Australian government is considering accepting other
exams for assessment of would-be immigrants' English language skills
Australia's new arrivals could have a more than one test of English to opt for .
The rival exams like TOEFL are considered as important alternatives for testing english skills.
The Australian newspaper quoted an immigration and citizenship department spokesman as saying that the minister in charge, Chris Evans, had written to ETS, the US company that produces Toefl, and other test providers to tell them of "his in-principal support for the acceptance of more than one English language test under the migration regulations".
In 2008 immigration officials launched a review of the Ielts monopoly by inviting other test providers to make their case for recognition.
The new Skilled Occupation List has been compiled by Skills Australia, an independent body established by the government to assess workforce needs. "This list is designed to target occupations of longer-term economic value and will deliver highly skilled migrants while breaking the nexus between permanent residency and low-value education courses," Evans said.

Courtesy guardian.co.uk

'Culture Cards' - A Step to Rejuvenate Relationships.

Over 1.6 lakh international students, including those from India will be given a 'Culture Card' by the Victorian government which will enable them to attend some of the city's best cultural events.

The 'Culture Card' was launched on Tuesday by Skills and Workforce Participation Minister Bronwyn Pike, Committee for Melbourne CEO Andrew MacLeod and North Melbourne Football Club Captain Drew Petrie.

The new move will give international students living in Victoria a virtual key to some of the state's best attractions as according to official s said . Pike said the Culture Card would ensure international students get the best from their study experience in Victoria.

Majority of 1.65 lakh international students, majority of whom are from India and China.

Pike said the Culture Card was part of the local Government's plan to ensure international students get a warm welcome when they arrive in Victoria. "Combined with the Culture Card, we now have a suite of services that are providing international students with the support, information and assistance they need." MacLeod said Culture Cards would be distributed through universities and education providers when international students arrive in Melbourne.

courtesy ndtv.com

Australia tries 'Wooing' back students

A welcome desk has been established for Indian and other international students at the airport at Melbourne airport as declared by Australian government official.

Victorian Minister for Skills and Workforce Participation Bronwyn Pike said that students will receive a warm welcome at the International Student Welcome Desk located in the arrivals hall at Melbourne International Airport. 

"A team of local volunteers will now be at the desk during peak arrival times to hand out welcome packs to international students arriving inMelbourne, with information on living, working and studying in Victoria."

"Information and advice about housing and consumer rights will also be provided to international students upon their arrival at Melbourne airport," a statement quoted Pike as saying. 

Australia is trying to woo international students after its image was battered following a string of attacks on Indian students in Melbourne and Sydney. The assaults have already strained relations between New Delhi and Canberra. 

Pike said the government will provide an Aus $2.7 million support and information package over four years for international students as part of the Aus$14 million 'Thinking Global: Victoria's Action Plan for International Education'. 

The airport welcome desk is open during a four-week period when most international students arrive in Victoria to prepare for the start of the education year. 

courtesy indiaedunews.net

USA needs Higher Education Students, Marketing and Quality

SCORES of cash-strapped US state universities are preparing to open their doors to foreign undergraduates, posing a serious challenge for Australian universities, as declared by US Study centre chief Geoff Garrett.

Another issue for Australian international education sector which is under focus for restriction of migration pathways , increased student visa financial requirements, student welfare, perceived racism and associated shortfalls in marketing of international education,and the high Australian dollar has made Australia much less competitive.Now this can be a real challenge to Australia’s ELICOS, university preparation and under graduate market in India, China and other Asian markets.

British students agitate for teaching quality. HUNDREDS of Manchester University engineering students have become the latest British undergraduates to stage a revolt against poor-quality teaching.
Predictable, if you charge fees students,clients, users or stakeholders demand a service as opposed to turning a blind eye. 
The number don’t add up in maths class. AUSTRALIA has a numeracy problem and they are not addressing it. TAFE(largest vocational education and training provider in Australia ) can help meet participation target. VICTORIA is being urged to create a fund for TAFE to finance delivery of degree programs with universities.

Universities suffering from decreasing international enrolments would surely be tempted to cooperate on degrees with TAFE. And It is good for TAFE sector with its resources to deliver degrees with practical internships, in addition to pathways.