Nathan Rees reports on the students’ issue

NSW Premier Nathan Rees acted quickly and decisively when he called the first round table meeting of community representatives and government ministers in the wake of attacks on Indian students in June. At that meeting, he set in motion different working groups to work on this problem. To bring the community up to date, a second round table meeting was conducted by the Premier office in early November.

Briefing the group, Commissioner Andrew P Scipione from the NSW police confirmed that a lot has been done to improve the law and order situation where Indian students reside and work.

“More importantly, I have liaised extensively with Mr. Ashwani Kumar from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in India and we have both exchanged ideas on the problems which the Indian students are facing. We now have an ongoing arrangement with CBI on this matter,” he said.

David Riordan, chairman of the Ministerial Task Force on International Education, confirmed that his team had received over 72 written submissions and had over 18 face-to-face meetings with student bodies and community leaders. “Though the issue of general welfare of the students, quality of education and marketing of education courses are all important, it is overall student experience which we have focused on”, he said.

Stepan Kerkyasharian, Chairman, Community Relations Commission also told the gathering of the work his team have accomplished, with advice from Indian Consul General Amit Dasgupta. “We have interacted extensively with Indian students and community leaders through meetings in Strathfield and Parramatta Town Halls. We also successfully ensured that there was complete inter communal harmony when passions were running high in June and July”, he said.

A manual containing all pertinent information for students from India, is in preparation after the research conducted by the CRC. It is hoped every student will have a copy before they leave India.

The Indian Consul General Amit Dasgupta expressed his appreciation for the work being done and the help being given by the police department, David Riordan’s department and especially the wonderful work being done by Stepan Kerkyasharian. “But the problem, I often encounter is where to turn to when students come to me with specific problems”, he said. As there are so many different departments connected to the students issues, it does get a bit confusing, Consul General told the Premier. He urged the Premier to consider a centralised body, perhaps set up an international students centre.

Premier Rees promised to look into all the suggestions. He reminded the gathering of his own visit to India later this month and promised to hold regular round table meetings with the community

Pawan Luthra