Decrease In Number Of International Students In CQU:

I am writing this article after reading news published in news.com.au website regarding decrease in number of International Students that may be affecting Central Queensland University’s financial capability. Even though it is not mentioned directly but all the facts clearly state that the reason of decrease in institution’s financial capability is due to decrease in number of international students. And the major factor is last year strike of International students against the university for failing students in exam only to get extra money out of them.

I have heard from one of my friend that CQU is providing scholarships to student from Bangladesh; I think this news is published in local Bangladeshi newspapers. I would suggest those students to read this article carefully and also read an other article with title Cash Cows, may be it give them some extra information and can help them in taking decision.

QUEENSLAND Treasury officials have been forced to step in to review the finances of one of the state’s biggest universities after a dramatic slump in student numbers.

Central Queensland University, which boosts the second-highest paid vice-chancellor in the state, is co-operating with the review into its operations by authorities worried about the institution’s financial viability.

CQU, which has campuses along the Queensland coast, has endured several years of controversy over its management and reliance on international students. However, vice-chancellor John Rickard blamed the ongoing resources boom and a change in rules governing the study choices of international students for the university’s woes.

Professor Rickard made headlines last year when it was revealed his salary package was nearly $700,000 a year, making him the second-highest paid university executive in Queensland. Student numbers at the university have plummeted from 26,000 three years ago to 21,300 last year.

Much of the staggering decline has been due to a fall in the number of international students, but the student populations at campuses such as Rockhampton, Mackay and Bundaberg have also halved.

Education Minister Rod Wellford said the recent drop in international student numbers at the university was the catalyst for the review, even though CQU’s presence in the international market had been “by and large” successful.

“International students have been the cash cow to enable the university to offer the range of courses it offers at Rockhampton and other campuses,” he said.

“Its long-term viability, at least in terms of its present structure, depends on a strong international education sector.”

CQU has gone after the lucrative overseas student market in the past decade and now has the largest proportion of international students of any Australian university. About 10,000 students, or half of its student body, are from overseas.

Source Of Information: News.com.au

Thanks

Is Australia Safe For International Students:

Train stations, bus stops, even pavements in and around Melbourne, the Australian city in Victoria which is home to thousands of Indian students, have increasingly turned unsafe with a good number of attacks on migrant youth being reported from the suburbs.

Some of these crimes bear the ‘us-versus-them’ racial overtone while most, according to Victoria Police, come as “assaults and robberies”, and many other cases go unreported, possibly for fear of a backlash.

The Federation of Indian Students in Australia (FISA), which has taken up the concern with Victoria Police, local lawmakers, as well as the Indian government, says the number of attacks, “fortunately directed towards male Indian students only”, could be as high as three per day.

“Most (Indian) students are doing well and feel secure. But a significant number are at the receiving end. This is leading to huge problems, including some students being forced to the edge of the society. We have seen the emergence of Indian students’ vigilante groups, an increase in suicides, depression, other health problems and students failing due to extraneous factors,” he said.

Victoria police, calling these crimes “extremely serious”, said the number of reported cases has decreased due to a series of public forums and education/information sessions organized by them and local community organizations.

Gupta said, “I would advise Indian students to be aware of what they are getting into. Once there, they should get involved with community groups and avoid unsafe suburbs, universities and institutes. Many private agents in India misguide students and the Australian government doesn’t monitor the inflow”.

Source Of Information: The Times Of India

International Students Facing Racism In Australia:
Students are coming to Australia to get some quality education and if they are competent enough then most probably get a good job after completing studies. Australia has made immigration rules that if students complete their education and prove that they can work in the market then are eligible for applying for permanent resident status which can be later on converted to citizen status. Increase in immigration rate is some how not welcomed by local Australians because they are sharing the same resources with others (this is how some of them think). Am not going into details about racism but will only discuss how it affects a student life in Australia.

Life of a student is not only restricted to studies, he/she is a part of society. Student may need to meet other students, do group discussion with other local students. They may also work part time during study period to earn living expenses and can work full time in non-study period.

You can be a victim of racist comments while on work. Your boss may shout at you when it get busy even if you are working fast while another Aussie guy may be working slow but will be close to your boss. It mostly happens in labor jobs and other odd jobs where all credit goes to Aussie even though you work more.

International students also face a lot of problem while applying for accommodation only on the basis of Discrimination which make landlord not offering their property to students from certain nationalities.

Discrimination is also present in government sector, take example of Connex train service in Melbourne. Connex representative some times do inspection while you are on your way in train. They start checking valid tickets; if you are an international student and do not hold a valid ticket then I am 100% sure you will be fined around $160 for it and will be fined double if caught second time. But in the same carriage you will find an Aussie guy caught without a valid ticket and he will escape charges. Connex’s inspectors will only ask him to leave the train at next station. Trust me, it’s very common here and I have seen it many times my self.

Many students after completing their education and getting higher grades are still not able to get a professional job. The reason put forward can be that companies don’t want to leak their privacy as international students may leave Australia because of visa expiry, so they are no good to company. But on the other side racism is other factor. Even though an Asian guy holding Australian passport will get a good job in a company but will still suffer e.g., lack of promotion. Mostly you will find Aussies at managerial position in any kind of company and other workers with different nationalities working under them.

In June 1998, One Nation, an Australian nationalist party in Queensland won 25 percent of the votes with their main lines at fighting immigration by non-whites. This was made possible where unemployment was been high and where it was easy to convince the people that immigrants were taking their jobs, as it would serve to be a convenient excuse and avenue to vent frustration. In a speech the party leader said that Australia was “in danger of being swamped” by Asians and she also questioned the special welfare benefits for Australia’s Aborigines.

References:
http://www.globalissues.org/HumanRights/Racism.asp#RacisminAustralia
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22566647-5007146,00.html

There are always some good and bad features of a society. In Australia, I have seen many people who don’t care about human diversity. Don’t think that people will insult you in public; it will only happen if someone is drunk. These are some real and hard facts that are why I have mentioned it, otherwise nothing such happen to me or any of my friends so far. But one thing is for sure that you may face problems in getting accommodation and may not be treated good while working in an environment where your fellows are white, only in case of odd jobs.

Accommodation Problems Of International Students:

I have read an article about growing Accommodation problem in Australia which states that landlords prefer to rent their property to singles, second option is married couple. Couple with children is not much preferred and in the last there is a category for students. Obviously, owners won’t rent their property to people who may cause damages easily. International students may not seem to landlord the most attractive tenants usually due to prior bad experience with other students.

Considerable growth in international students number have been noticed in recent days causing demand for accommodation in various cities like Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth to remain high and vacancy rates for all rental property are too low.

Discrimination which make landlord not offering their property to students from certain nationalities also make it tough. Discrimination is not only racial but it can be against whole community of international students, leads to students resorting to other measures to secure housing. Facing group discrimination, international students often rely on help from friends with permanent resident status, who are working full time to sign lease agreements, and provide their own documentation to landlords or estate agents to secure the housing.

Even students who have got accommodation face many problems. Problems can be related to bond lodgment, requirements of rent payments in advance, slow repair of problems, and unfair and illegal fees such as key deposit and cleaning cost. Even students can lodge complaints but hesitate because of some reasons like,

1. Fear of retaliation by accommodation providers that could cost them their visa status.

2. Cultural differences

3. Lack of understanding where to complain or what outcome might be.

4. Belief that nothing can be done so they don’t bother.

5. Lack of time due to pressure such as full time study and part time work commitment.

Not all students suffer these problem but these are certain facts that can’t be underestimated.