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international education
international students, which means that
applicants must now show strong Englishlanguage
capability and provide proof that
they can support their stay in Australia.
Salvatore Babones, adjunct scholar at
the Centre for Independent Studies and
associate professor at the University of
Sydney, said: “It is too late for Australian
universities to avoid reliance on Chinese
students, because they have already
overindulged on Chinese student tuition
money. Like any organisation, universities
shouldn’t depend too much on any one
source of revenue. International students
certainly belong in the mix.
“A responsible level would be up to 15 per
cent international, with no more than 5 per
cent from any one country. When you have
programs that draw more than 85 per cent
of their students from overseas, that’s a sign
that something is wrong.”
Babones feels it is also not a great idea to
expect more Indian students on Australian
campuses, as the Indian higher education
market is already tapped out.
“In fact, India already has more students
overseas, compared to the population that
can afford it, than does China,” he said.
“I estimate that only one-eighth as many
Indian families as Chinese ones can afford
international education, yet already threeeighths
as many send children overseas.
“There is absolutely no room for an
additional expansion of Indian study abroad
numbers.”
At the end of 2019, Australia had nearly
a million international students at all levels,
with 440,000 in higher education and the
balance in schools, TAFEs, English schools,
and non-degree programs. Nearly 40 per
cent of those students were from China,
with roughly 20 per cent from India.
Chinese students likely pay about
$3 billion a year in university tuition,
although the universities do not publish
figures. Indian students, who are not
as concentrated in the most lucrative
programs, pay at least $1 billion,
Babones said.
Computing and quantifying the loss at
this stage would be tough, but Babones
said Australian universities are likely to suffer
around $1 billion in lost Chinese student
tuition revenue this semester, with most of
these losses concentrated in the Group of
Eight universities and UTS.
“These lost revenues will be partly
offset by lower costs, as many classes
and tutorials are cancelled. It is simply
impossible for Indian students to make
up the difference, since the Indian market
is already over-exploited and, in any
case, classes have already started for this
semester,” Babones said.
“The biggest threat on the horizon is
that Australia itself may be cut off later in
the year if it does not properly manage its
own coronavirus epidemic. It won’t help
universities if, just as the epidemic comes
under control in China, it spirals out of
control in Australia.”
INSTITUTIONS KEEN ON ENGAGING
WITH INDIAN UNIVERSITIES
Despite the grim situation, institutions
such as the University of Canberra, the
University of Queensland and the Australian
Technology Network of Universities are still
keen on engaging with Indian institutions
for academic exchange and research,
besides attracting more Indian students.
Dr Jessica Gallagher, pro-vice chancellor
(global engagement and entrepreneurship)
at the University of Queensland, said:
“We are very focused on building strong
academic and research partnerships with
Indian universities.
“[UQ] works with 19 universities and
institutes in India, including the Indian
Institute of Technology Delhi, BITS Pilani,
Amity University, Shiv Nadar University, and
Symbiosis International University.”
Indian students already enrolled are
completing a wide range of programs
from business, engineering, data
science, biotechnology, food science
and technology, computer science and
environmental management at the university.
“[UQ] and IIT-Delhi have collaborated to
offer a joint PhD program that will support
scholars to create global impact.
“The UQ-IITD Academy of Research will
attract students, academics and researchers
to work on cross-disciplinary challenges on
themes such as healthy ageing, feeding the
world, resilient environment, technology
for tomorrow and transforming societies,”
Gallagher told Campus Review.
The University of Canberra successfully
launched the Indo-Australian Centre for
Advanced Studies at Chandigarh University
recently.
“We are working towards a threeyear
plan which will be discussed in
meetings with the partner and will then be
implemented,” Professor Geoffrey Crisp,
deputy vice-chancellor (academic) at the
University of Canberra said.
“It is anticipated that this partnership will
deliver 150–200 students per year to our
university by 2023.
“We will be sending five students to
Chandigarh in 2020 as part of a three-year
New Colombo Plan grant that we won.”
The Australian Technology Network of
Universities is also engaging in research
partnerships with Indian institutions.
A collaborative doctoral degree program
has been developed between Curtin
University and the Indian Institutes of
Technology in Bombay, Kharagpur, Madras,
Guwahati, Kanpur and Dhanbad.
The University of South Australia has
a research partnership with the Indian
Institute of Technology Bombay which
looks at research collaboration in transport
systems, civil and water engineering, and
cognitive neuro-engineering research.
The University of Technology Sydney
has a strong relationship with the Indian
Institute of Technology Madras, including
an extensive history of joint academic
projects across data science, data analytics,
robotics, civil engineering, photonics and
nanomaterials.
“Work is underway towards developing
a joint research centre focused on
technology for social good,” said Sally Way,
senior engagement manager, Australian
Technology Network of Universities.
James Cook University started many
initiatives to foster ties with India last
year. Vignesh Vijayaraghavan, head of
international recruitment, said: “Our
students come from many backgrounds,
promoting a rich cultural and experiential
diversity on campus.
“Our new courses shall open a gateway
of opportunities for the students as well as
assist them to grow in the field of science
and engineering.”
The university introduced new courses
– a Master of Global Development and a
Master of Data Science – last year in a clear
pivot to India.
Monash and Deakin universities have
also had exciting collaborations with some
Indian institutions in the past.
So, while an influx of Indian students is no
panacea for Australia’s struggling education
sector now, Indian students remain an
important – indeed significant – part of the
solution when the world returns to normal. ■
Gauri Kohli is a Delhi-based senior
journalist, editor and freelance writer.
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