Photo-SAT/NN
By Neeraj Nanda
MELBOURNE, 8 November 2021: The Indian High Commissioner in Australia HE Mr. Manpreet Vohra today disclosed the enrolment of some universities in the February and March 2022 enrolments from India have fallen and UK, US and Canada have gained Indian students because of the special exemption steps they took during the Covid-19 pandemic. Mr.Vohra was answering a question on the subject by South Asia Times (SAT) at a meet and greet event today organised by the Australia India Business Council (AIBC) in collaboration with the FIAV and AICCT at the Indian community centre here.
“There is a little sheen Australia has lost in the education sector because of the frequent lockdowns and the Australian government might have lost the trick , but I suppose they had their own reasons. Beyond a point you cannot be over critical because these are sovereign decisions.
The other three countries – UK, US and Canada had their borders closed and had special exemptions. They were competing with Australia.
Two universities here have told me they have been hit because of decline in enrolments from India. The February and March 2022 enrolments see reduction in numbers.
But the enrolments will rise possibly by the end of 2022.” he said.
Source- YouTube/SAT (Program organised by the Australia India Business Council with FIAV & AICCT)
Addressing the select gathering and answering to queries from other media, the Indian High Commissioner, said the relations between India and Australia were in their best state and talks about a comprehensive trade pact were smoothly progressing.
Mr. Vohra candidly said in trade talks one has to give and take. His opinion was Australia has to move beyond the resources export economy. He was confident some good news was possible by Christmas and a final culmination by the end of next year.
The Indian High Commissioner was earlier welcomed by Mr. Vasan Srinivasan, Patron AIBC Victoria and Chair, Confederation of Indian Associations of Australia. Mr. Rajkumar, Indian Consul General in Melbourne and Michael Sukkar, Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Housing were also present along with distinguished guests and community members.
(Story to be updated)
