Coming to Australia

Asian students, predominantly Indian, came together for a threehour workshop recently to discuss and address their ‘information needs’. The workshop, facilitated by the New South Wales government’s Community Relations Commission (CRC), comes in the wake of recent attacks against Indian students and is aimed at stepping up information systems and delivery mechanisms for prospective students preparing to come to the state.

The NSW government, on the directives of Premier Nathan Rees, has tasked the CRC to hold consultations with Indian and other international students to discuss and receive feedback on a range of issues. The Commission plans to submit a report, based on the workshop, to the Premier by the end of September and hopes to get a holistic information pack ready for new students from the sub-continent before the next semester commences.

“The Premier has asked the Commission to prepare material so that we can provide accurate, reliable information to international students in NSW from the Indian sub-continent. This is information in terms of their stay in NSW, issues relating to transport, accommodation, health, legal matters, interaction with the police,” said Stepan Kerkyasharian AM, chairman of CRC and president of the AntiDiscrimination Board of NSW.

“We thought that it was most appropriate to ask some of the people, who have gone through the process and come here from the Indian sub-continent. They know what kind of information was available to them and they would know the extent to which it was adequate. Having come and experienced life here, they would also know if there are any gaps in that information and the best way to provide that information,” he added.

Nearly 15 students attended the workshop. They suggested ways and means on how the government and universities could disseminate information on studying in NSW, starting from before the students left their home countries. Students also pressed for more details to be given to them on living and transportation costs so families are fully aware of the expenses they would incur during their stay Down Under.

Participants termed the workshop as a ‘genuine effort’ by the NSW government to improve services and help international students.

“Many of us are heavily reliant on education agents, appointed by universities, for any kind of information when we decide to study in Australia,” said Harpreet Singh, vice-president of All International Student Association Inc and a participant at the workshop. “Often, we are not given the full picture on what to expect. This is a good initiative by the NSW government as it will help many in the future to make informed decisions”.

“It may be hard to reach out to all students, planning to study here,