Australias plan of action towards student safety

Updated on: Monday, June 29, 2009

Australia: International students are a financial cornerstone of the Australian education industry and a major chunk of the students are from India. The recent attacks on Indian students in Australia have jolted the industry and likely to lead to a dip in applications this year. Though the exact figure will be known in a couple of weeks’ time, counsellors admit that they are “facing anxious students and parents.”

The attacks on Indian students have prompted an action plan by Universities Australia that represent 38 of Australia’s universities. The 10-point action plan for student safety, developed by deputy and pro vice-chancellors (international) from the Australian universities, emphasises strong law enforcement and calls for closer co-operation between education providers, government, local authorities and community representatives to ensure safety for international students.

As part of the action plan, the universities will look to:

   1.
      Support proactive, preventive approaches to assuring student safety; and collaborate with local law enforcement authorities to increase levels of security.
   2.
      Work with diplomatic missions and the Australian government to streamline and enhance existing reporting processes for missions regarding student safety.
   3.
      Co-operate with governments, local authorities and housing industry representatives to ensure the availability of sufficient affordable and secure accommodation for all students.
   4.
      Advocate that all state and territory authorities immediately make available travel concessions for all students to help enhance their safety while travelling. Also, encourage employer and union support for assuring safe travel conditions for student workers.

Educationtimes

Australias plan of action towards student safety

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