Several Australian educational institutions, including Federation University in Victoria and Western Sydney University in New South Wales, have recently decided to impose limitations on the recruitment of students from specific Indian states. This action comes in response to the increasing number of fraudulent visa applications.
The affected Indian states, namely Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Jammu & Kashmir, have been subjected to application restrictions due to alleged submission of fraudulent documents and a high rate of student dropouts.
According to reports from Australian media, the Department of Home Affairs, responsible for the country’s student visa program, disclosed in a federal parliamentary inquiry last week that the rejection rate for visa applications from India stands at 24.3 percent, the highest recorded since 2012. The department’s report indicated that one in four applications from India is now considered “fraudulent” or “non-genuine.”
Earlier this year, Australian media reports had highlighted Victoria University, Edith Cowan University, University of Wollongong, Torrens University, and Southern Cross University as institutions restricting applications from Indian students, particularly from Punjab and Haryana.
The recent visa restrictions implemented by Federation University and Western Sydney University coincide with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic visit to Australia. Federation University acknowledged the significant increase in visa application refusals from certain Indian regions by the Department of Home Affairs, indicating a growing trend.
Western Sydney University, in a message to agents on May 8, stated that a substantial number of Indian students who began their studies in 2022 intakes did not remain enrolled, resulting in a notably high attrition rate. The university identified Punjab, Gujarat, and Haryana as areas with the highest risk of attrition, leading to the immediate suspension of recruitment from these regions. However, recruitment from other Indian regions will continue as usual.
While Australian and Indian Prime Ministers have recently agreed to enhance student mobility and collaboration through a migration and mobility agreement, these visa restrictions underscore the importance of addressing fraud concerns and promoting student retention. The agreement aims to foster exchanges in education, research, and business, strengthening ties between the two nations and facilitating cultural and knowledge sharing.
Author: IBC Global Times
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