Australia to tighten varsities' registration procedure

Australian Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who also holds the education portfolio, told newspersons here that the new law, introduced in the Australian parliament, would allow registration under tougher criteria. This would also impel agents to be more transparent and accountable in their operations.

New law

The new law, likely to be passed by Parliament early next year, would apply to all institutions in the Commonwealth register of institution and those offering courses for overseas students. Julia said: "Until the Bill becomes an Act, a quality audit will be on and those institutions which fail to measure up will be closed down to the students, including international students. Those enrolled in these colleges will be transferred to other colleges or (if they cannot be accommodated) their fee would be refunded."

The amendment would regulate schools that play host to about half a million overseas students, including one lakh of those from India.

Julia said: "The international education sector has grown too fast, with insufficient checks and balances, attracting a small number of unscrupulous operators. We need to weed out such operators."

Under the tougher regulations, operators will have no choice but to be transparent or risk total close down of their activities in Australia.

Julia Gillard pointed out that recent attacks on Indian students were a matter of great concern for her government.
DH News Service