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Unveiling education opportunities in Australia
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Vasan Srinivasan, a professional who migrated to Australia in the late Eighties, was in Kochi recently to promote Australian education among students here. In a chat with G. Krishnakumar
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"Keralites, come to Australia. It is the best place to live in the world", says Vasan Srinivasan, a member of the Liberal Party in Australia.
A professional who migrated to Australia in the late eighties, Mr. Srinivasan was recently in Kochi to promote Australian education among students here. He shared his views on the opportunities available in Australia for Indians.
"Australia requires at least 20,000 nurses in the next two years. Nurses in India can make use of this opportunity. Commercial cookery is another area offering jobs. We need skilled personnel as chefs in hotels in Australia. Hair dressers and beauticians are also required in good numbers".
Mr. Srinivasan, who contested as a candidate of the Liberal Party of Australia in the 2002 elections in Forest Hill, Victoria, says that the standard of life in Australia is superior to that in other countries.
"Keralites opting for a job in West Asia can now come to Australia for a career. The country has got better infrastructure facilities such as roads, electricity, and public transport. "
Mr. Srinivasan says that Indians have an edge over other nationalities in Australia. "We mix well with Australians. Doctors from India who have settled down there have created a bed of roses for us through their work. They were instrumental in creating an image that Indians are talented in all fields. We are the fourth largest community in Victoria after Greeks, Italians and Chinese", he says.
Talking about the increasing opportunities for Indian students, he says that the number of students coming to Australia has gone up considerably.
"Last year alone, over 10,000 students came. Organisational unity among Indians in Australia is one of the reasons for the increase in the number of students. The Indian community has been extending great support to them," he says.
Mr. Srinivasan has taken the lead in providing necessary facilities to the students visiting Australia. "Students often get misguided by their agents back in India. They will get all sorts of information from the agents. But it may not be that easy to settle down. And some of them may even land into wrong courses and institutes", he says.
He says that some of the students coming from India feel dejected for they do not get into the right course. "I am part of the mental health foundation in Australia. Every three months, we run a motivation course for students. We ensure that students from India get every support they want to settle here".
Mr. Srinivasan has an advice for students aspiring to join courses in Australia. "Do not pay anything more than tuition and visa fees. The agents should not charge any money from students, as the universities in Australia support them. Recently, students had told me that an agent charged Rs. 7,500 as courier charges for sending some material".
Commenting on the growing unity among Indians in Australia, Mr. Srinivasan says that the formation of an umbrella organisation consisting of members from over 20 Indian associations had given them a political edge. "The political parties can now hear our voice. There are around 72,000 Indians in Victoria alone", he says.
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Life
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Thiruvananthapuram
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