Rivals set to profit as Australia loses out on
international education market
[Source: Forbes, The
Australian, 15 July 2010]
Tightened immigration rules and high profile
safety concerns for foreign students have seen Australia’s US$14.8
billion international education sector suffer in the past year,
with many providers now believing that colleges in the US and UK
are set to profit. According to data from Australian Education
International (AEI), course enrolments for the first quarter of
2010 have dropped by 3.3% compared to the same period last year,
driven largely by falls in vocational education and training
courses and English language courses for overseas students. The
decline has been particularly striking amongst South Asian students
(Indians, Sri Lankans, Nepalis, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis), with
enrolments falling by well over a quarter (29%). Meanwhile colleges
in the US are experiencing strong surges in demand, leading
providers in Australia to raise concerns over the future of one
of the country’s biggest exports.
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