Finally, is education one of our cash crops these days? Looks like it to me from the reaction of politicians. If it is, are Australian residents affected the way third world citizens are when their govts force them to grow cash crops instead of basic foodstuffs?

Since the colleges are for their financial gain, all they try to do is leech money out from these students. Some colleges don’t even bother to care about giving proper field replacements and adequate training. There are students who wants to study the subject with an open sense of mind but are spoiled by a select few who cares less.

The high cost of certain products and the large difference in money value can be a real pain in the head for those students who needs to survive over here. Also the government must be blamed for approving a lot of student visas even after the recession. No wonder the kids who are born and brought up here find it hard to get a job and find the immigrants as a threat to their survival. The students who come from abroad must try to embrace all the other cultures rather than thinking that theirs should rule. I have seen some people who have got their PR’s ages ago still not able to communicate properly and yet they live a good life.

A lot of problems are currently existing for international students and yet they plan to adjust with whatever they have. I would suggest mixing up the international students with the local students so that they might get a good understanding. TAFE’s are the best options for now. Those who study in high class universities do study well but you certainly got to pay for it.

It isn’t a matter of having to control students or constantly remind them of the requirements, i teach postgraduate students and not high school, the students are adults and responsible for their own actions and the consequences. While they are all made aware of what is expected from the start and you would expect, willing to make an effort, considering the cost involved. Although, at the end of the day, we cannot force them to attend or submit assignments for them and if they are never attending classes, they are unlikely to learn otherwise.

Instead, the problem lies with students being mislead by immigration agents and thinking a degree is some ‘backdoor’ immigration scheme, coming to Australia unprepared for their courses and when perhaps should not even have been accepted in the first place. The Universities, who despite continuously ‘dumbing’ down masters level courses to the point where a high school could pass them, have simply become addicted to the funds these students provide and even alter their courses, in order to accommodate the immigration requirements.

A great example of this, is the business and information technology college where i teach, suddenly offering commercial cookery and hairdressing to students a few years ago, when it was added to the skilled immigration quotas, despite the admission from the head of school that they would not allow the students to consume the food they prepared, as they had no faith in their ability to safely and hygienically prepare the meals. While of course, any student who was not able to pass their business or IT course, was transferred to hairdressing or commerical cookery at the request of students, in order to still be eligible for permanent residency. It is after all, why they are here.

Jul 07 - Jun 08: 11 deaths, 5 attempted suicides, 89 cases in all

During Jul 2003 - Jun 08 :

- 230 cases reported in the english media

- 28 deaths, 10 attempted suicides, 14 left college

- Only 54% cases sought police intervention, 63% incidents in hostels

- West Bengal (30 cases), UP (27 cases), Andhra (25 cases) worst hit

Of course the university population in India is much greater than the Indian student population here, but the CURE stats cover only the violence students are subject to within the Universities not outside.

This is not to condone the violence that happens in Australia, but people who live in glasses houses etc etc. The cure website is: http://www.noragging.com/ for those who wish to explore the issue more thorougly. There is also an excellent article in a recent Economist magazine.

Students are blamed because the teachers cant control their students. If the students fail to learn then they should be sit to re-write the exams. If the student fails to complete the subject on time or not attending classes then it should be the teachers or the management’s fault. Most lame institutions are targeting for money. And to be honest I was a victim of them. Didnt go to uni for a month or so because I was changing course and the college didn’t even care to contact me or anything. Even still the funny thing is that letters as to pay the fees on time have been posted on me.

Blame the irresponsible immigration agents who lure students into gettin a Permanent Residency. Poor students who wont even have a basic idea about what is going on are the ones who are suffering a lot and and are also the ones who are getting molested. Australia must have to improve more on their guidelines and see if they are being followed by all. Stringent actions must be taken and an immediate response is expected.

First of all things like drugs, weapons and dangerous items should be restricted. Also racism wont be there if the Indian students communicate effectively. They just behave like its India and do whatever they think its right for them. Also blame those who work for long hours and leave other students in the puddle of looking for a job. Cons and other fraudery are also gone un-checked. Its like, the more u cheat here the more ur rewarded greatly. Ultimately it will get caught at one time. So be careful.

We have to do what we have come to do and obtain it the legal way. If not giving a PR to you would be a total waste of money. So act wisely and be vigilant all the time students.

The students rarely show interest in academic work at all, attend class or submit assignments on time, many are even not aware of what they are going to be studying when they arrive and enroll in our courses. Many simply do not even make an effort, with plagiarism common and students even handing in the wrong assignments, as they have not bothered or been able to understand the written outlines given to them.

All that interests the students, is of course the points required for their permanent residency application. While in turn, the college is always keen to point out they are customers, as well as students, with the expectation that if they pay their fees, they will pass their course and receive their degree and residency, just as they were promised by the agent in India.