The climate is good and scholarships are aplenty
RASHEED KAPPAN
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Henry Ledlie of IDP Australia gives the lowdown on higher studies Down Under
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Australia is famous for cricket, beaches, high standard of living and of late, education too. And IDP Australia is just the right agency to guide you in studies. This is a conversation with Henry Ledlie, Country Director, IDP India, who talks about possibly everything you wanted to know about Aussie classrooms.
What are the factors that make Australia an attractive destination for Indian students?
The fact that many Australian universities are on the Times Higher Education world top 200 rankings proves that Australian degrees are recognised by government, industry and professional bodies world over. The cost of study and living in Australia is very competitive when compared to traditional study destinations such as the U.S. and the U.K. and many students find it affordable to take a bank loan and fund their education. Moreover, Australia provides a safe, friendly, multicultural society with a salubrious climate which Indian students find it easy to acclimatise and integrate with ease.
Tell us about the growth of the education sector in Australia.
In the last five years we have witnessed an immense growth in sectors such as vocational education, English language studies and higher education. In fact, there has been a growth of almost five times in all the sectors. The major contributors to this increase have been India, China, Malaysia and Korea. We have witnessed huge growth in enrolments for the vocational and technical sector courses. Australia is very aggressive in terms of its educational standard and recruitments.
Incentives offered to international students …
The universities offer many monetary benefits. Bursaries are given, especially at the research/ Ph.D. level. Many universities also have faculty-specific scholarships at the Bachelor’s and Master’s level. Even the Australian Government has offered a range of study and training scholarships for students in Indian and Asia-Pacific region. One of these is the ALA (Australian Leadership Awards) for long-term study in Australia at the Master’s and Research level. Application for scholarships can be submitted online at www.australianscholarships.gov.au, and the last date is July 31, 2007.
The Endeavour scholarships are offered to leading researchers, executives and students to undertake short or long-term study, research and professional development in a broad range of disciplines. This programme is very competitive and is offered by the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST). For more information interested candidates can log on to www.endaevour.dest.gov.au, and the last date for applications is July 27, 2007.
Exchange facilities, tie-ups, and international campuses
Currently campuses of two Australian universities are in the pipeline. Griffith University is opening its first campus in India, in Hyderabad, where it will offer only sports courses. We expect this to do very well, since India is a nation of sport lovers. Another university which is opening its off-shore campus in India is MacQuarie.
What are IDP’s future plans in India, and what are the new services, if any, that it is offering?
IDP has major expansion plans in India. We have opened offices in Amritsar, Ludhiana, Baroda, Pune, Kochi and Gurgaon this year. In this manner we are trying to cover north, south, east and west. By the end of this year IDP will have 21 offices all over India including the current offices.
We have started IDP Welcome Desks at the Sydney and Melbourne airports, so that students who are arriving for the first time don’t feel lost upon arrival. We have also started free city orientation tours so that the students may be able to familiarise themselves with the city that is going to be their home for the next one year at least.
We have four student offices in Australia to serve the needs of these students and to help them out in case any difficulty arises.
Indian students also consider factors such as citizenship and employment opportunities in choosing the study abroad destination. How far does an Australian degree help address these issues?
Australian universities do have a Careers & Employment service to maximise the study outcomes of recent graduates. The services include: a comprehensive career resource centre, career development seminars, resume reviews and career counselling, liaison with employers offering part-time and full-time positions, international employment services, career fairs and employer information sessions, up-to-date bulletins on events and employment vacancies.
The Graduate Careers Council of Australia (GCCA) is a peak body with representatives from employers, universities and government. The GCCA works to promote and foster employment and career opportunities for graduates from higher education institutions, provide high quality education products and services, and interpret trends in employment with special reference to graduate employment. To know what jobs Australian graduates get and what salaries can one expect after graduation, check: http://www.gradsonline.edu.au/gradsonline/
What are the next sessions for which prospective students can apply?
Broadly speaking, there are two major intakes that most Australian universities offer, February and July. But quite a few universities and institutes also offer a September/October/November intake, which is popular with students who have just given their Class XII exams or university examination. This is the right time for them to apply for this intake, since admissions are currently open.
What is the next big event that IDP is planning?
Our next major event is going to be the bi-annual road show from September 6 to 21. It will start in Nepal and move to Indian cities. This road show is mainly for those students who are interested in commencing their studies in 2008. We will have this event in Bangalore on September 17, 2007. Students can register for the event now.
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