As an Indian student in Australia, I welcome the Baird recommendations to revamp the international education system in Australia. The most important suggestion is to give a unique identifier number to every international student coming to this country. The primary intention is seems to protect students from scrupulous agents by tracking their movements between institutions. This ID could also be used to a greater cause which will ensure more transparency, credibility and justice to Australian education sector.
Australian government awards 5 points towards Australian permanent residency (PR) for 2 or more years of study in Australia. Those 5 points are so critical that an average students who does a course in skills demand list (MODL, CSL, etc) will be eligible for PR, if they get those last 5 points. That's their last mile. Many students choose those courses (which are in skills demand list) for 2 or more years with the intention of applying for PR after their studies. This is good for Australia too, for Australia gets right skills trained in Australia itself.
In order to make this arrangement more transparent and just, Australia could link the proposed unique ID for international students with the skills demand list of the time students get admission to Australian educational institutions. This will be consistent with the practise of linking 5 points towards PR for 2 years of study in Australia at the very first time they join courses in Australia.
If we do not do this, we will be allowing the system to "change the goal posts" for international students during their 2 years of study in Australia. No one would argue that Australia has a right to change the skills demand list as the demand changes in the society. At the same time, we do have an obligation to protect the interests of international students who come here to study and fill in the needs of Australia, as we advertise. Linking the unique ID for international students with that of the demand list of the time students get admission to Australian educational institutions will be the best way to implement it. This will ensure credibility and reinstate confidence in "Australia brand" in international circles.
Fr Jaison Mulerikkal CMI
47 Lowe st
Queanbeyan, 2620
Mob: 0433893593
jmulerik@cs.anu.edu.au
