Study in Australia a safer bet?

Association of Australian Education Representatives in India (AAERI)


The Association of Australian Education Representatives in India (AAERI) is an independent organization that ensures the integrity and credibility of agents who are recruiting students on behalf of Australian education and training institutions. Formed in 1996, AAERI is an initiative of Australian Education International (AEI) AHC, New Delhi and it is a one of its kind self regulatory body of student agents in the world.With over 160 members across India, AAERI has been taking active role in the proposed Amendment to the Education Services for Overseas Act 2000 by the Australian Government , to ensure stricter norms for international students (including those from India), agents sending students to Australia and education to international students.
1. HISTORY:

The Association of Australian Education Representatives in India (AAERI) is an independent organization under the Societies Registration Act of India, which was formed in 1996. The Association was formed keeping in mind the need for assurance of credibility of agents that recruits students on behalf of Australian education and training institutions. All prospective students can approach the AAERI and utilize the services of the organization in counseling and information support. AAERI is supported by Australian Council for Private Education and Training (ACPET).


2. CODE OF ETHICAL PRACTICES:

The AAERI Code of Ethical Practices requires that AAERI members provide accurate and realistic counseling to prospective students who have selected Australia as their destination for studies and disseminate authentic information on totality of finances required for study in Australia; conditions governing a student’s ability to work and the availability of work; scholarships available to overseas students and institutional academic matters, living arrangements and entitlement’s fees and refund policies and student support services.


3. SOCIETIES REGISTRATION ACT OF INDIA 1960
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Societies_Registration_Act


4. AMENDMENT TO THE EDUCATION SERVICES FOR OVERSEAS STUDENTS ACT 2000:

Re-registration of all institutions currently registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) by 31 December 2010.

a. Two new registration requirements for education providers:
The principal purpose of the provider is to provide education; and
The provider has demonstrated capacity to provide education of a satisfactory standard.
b. Providers to be required to list the names of education agents who represent them and promote their education services and to require providers to comply with any matters prescribed in the regulations concerning their agents.
c. Discretionary removal of the prohibition on education providers collecting monies from studying students when a course has been suspended.
d. Conditions imposed by states and territories on education providers to be recognized by the Commonwealth.
e. Exemptions from punitive provider default refund requirements for providers changing their legal entity.
The amendments are the first in a series of measures the Government is taking to ensure Australia continues to offer world class quality international education in this challenging and changing environment.
Further complimentary initiatives to enhance Australia’s ability to deliver quality education services to overseas students will include the review of the ESOS Act by the Hon Bruce Baird and the development of the National International Student Strategy under the Council of Australian Governments.
www.aei.gov.au <http://www.aei.gov.au/>




5. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND STAFF:

AAERI Responsibilities (2009-2010)


2009 Office Bearers:

President
Mr Gulshan Kumar, Kangaroo Studies Pvt Ltd, New Delhi (Add link)
Vice President
Mr Bubbly Johar, Johar’s Education Centre, New Delhi
(Also Executive Member for Delhi Region)
General Secretary
Mr Inder Panjwani, International Education Placement Services, New Delhi
Treasurer
Mr Rupesh Duggal, Cambridge Immi and Ed Services, Jalandhar
(Also Exec Member for North India except NCR)
Secretary
Mr Arun Bhutani, AB Educational Avenues (P) Ltd, New Delhi

Other Executive Members:
• Mr Rahul Gandhi, Take Off Consultants, Ahmedabad.
Exec Member (West India)
• Mr Gobind Kr Saha, Seven Seas (P) Ltd, Kolkata.
Exec Member (East India)
• Ms Sangeeta Deshmukh, VGC International, Hyderabad.
Exec Member (AP Region)
• Mr Sabesan Manickavasagam, Idealize Ed Services, Chennai.
Exec Member (South India)
• Mr Nishidhar Reddy Borra, Atlas Consultants, Hyderabad.
Member
• Mr Ravi Lochan Singh, Global Reach, Kolkata.
Member
Non-Elected participants at AAERI Executive Meetings (without voting rights):
Ms Kelly Raj, Counsellor (Training & Education), AEI.
Ex Officio Chairperson
Ms Priya Raja, Education Promotions Officer, AEI.
Minutes Secretary

Committees:
MOA Review Sub Committee:
Mr Gulshan Kumar (Head)
Disciplinary Sub Committee:
Mr Arun Bhutani (Head)
Mr Gulshan Kumar
Mr Ravi Lochan Singh
Visa Office Liaison Committee:
Mr Ravi Lochan Singh (Head)
Mr Gulshan Kumar
Mr Bubbly Johar
New Applications Sub Committee:
Mr Bubbly Johar (Head)
Mr Rahul Gandhi
Ms Sangeeta Deshmukh

Exhibitions Sub Committee:
Mr Arun Bhutani (Head)
Mr Bubbly Johar
Mr Sabesan Manickavasagam

Editor, AAERI Newsletter:
Mr Ravi Lochan Singh
Administrator, Website:
Mr Ravi Lochan Singh

6. ACTIVITIES:
AAERI has been working towards reinforcing Australia’s standing as a high quality education destination for all genuine students and is strongly lobbying with the government bodies in India & Australia to ensure that Australia remains a high quality education destination.
8 point Action Plan (Add link)

1. Working in conjunction with DIAC and AEI to ensure student safety

DIAC (Department of Immigration and Citizenship), AEI (Australia Education International) and AHC (Australian High Commissioner) are working closely with AAERI members on modules which will serve as guiding principles for Indian students planning to study in Australia. These modules are drafted keeping in mind the social and economic set up of Australia and focus on the essential ‘do’s and don’ts’ that Indian students studying in Australia should keep in mind. Students are then taken through these exhaustive modules via pre-departure briefings held by AAERI members across India.

2. Liaise with Australian and Indian government to weed out unscrupulous agents and ensure authenticity of students

AAERI will continue feeding intelligence on fraudulent practices to the Australian Government bodies. In the past, AAERI has alerted the Australian High Commission several times on malicious practices of unscrupulous agents, resulting in several onshore (and some off shore) agents losing their eVisa access. This practice will continue with renewed momentum.
Simultaneously, AAERI executive committee will continue working closely with the Indian Government and provide them with industry intelligence to ensure only genuine students go to Australia, through the right channels and to quality institutes.

3. Constant interaction with Australian Government to voice concerns of the Indian student community and protect their interests

Following the recent visit by AAERI delegation to Australia, deliberations have been held with Indian High Commissioner and the Consul Generals in Australia to safeguard the interests of Indian student community.
AAERI had been strongly advocating for students opting for Vocational courses to be interviewed in person or on the phone and also the eVisa lodgment should have more stringent checks and balances. AAERI had shared this concern with the Indian commissioner Ms. Sujata Singh in Canberra on the 23rd July 2009. To action this, Australian High Commission has upgraded the interview process for the applicants and restricted online eVisa access facility for erring agents.

4. Facilitate interface of students with Indian communities in Australia for better exchange of ground realities

AAERI is working closely with Indian community in Australia to understand the on ground situation and their concerns. AAERI will attempt to become the connecting link between the existing Indian community in Australia and the students going to study in Australia on an ongoing basis so as to instill an ‘at home’ feeling amongst students and help them adapt better to the change in environment.
The Indian Society in Australia has taken certain initiatives in this regard. Indian students are regularly invited to participate in Indian cultural festivals in Australia and mingle with the existing Indian community there. This will make the students feel at the home in Australia. The Indian community is also deeply involved in conducting polling for the Indian students in Australia and wants to understand and solve the problems faced by them. This will encourage the students not to take the law in their hands which is a concern for the Australian Government. The Indian community leaders in Sydney and Melbourne are proactively writing regular articles to the potential students in the AAERI’s newsletter. This will keep the potential students informed on the current scenario and trends. AAERI news letters are widely read by the students and other non AAERI members, institutions in India and Australia and both Indian and Australian Governments officers.

5. Activating student redressal cell

The disciplinary committee of AAERI will be strengthened and will work closely with authorities in India and Australia to act on substantiated complaints from students immediately. Students will be encouraged to lodge complaints against any erring AAERI agent members to the committee.

6. Training AAERI members by conducting visa training workshops
AAERI will conduct visa training workshops for AAERI members across India. These workshops will be held in conjunction with DIAC to enable agents to help students during the entire visa processing stage. Another major focus of the workshop will be enabling agents to identify and route “positive profile” students to the visa level, while simultaneously weeding out fake student applications.

7. Implementing stricter norms for AAERI members

AAERI will be undertake regular exhaustive audits of its current ‘Code of Ethics’ followed by all 160 members and keep improving ‘Entry Norms’ to ensure all students availing services of AAERI members are assured of quality professional advise at every step.

8. Become neutral partners to both students and education providers in Australia in case of conflict of interest

AAERI members will be encouraged to assume greater responsibility in case of conflict of interest between the student and the education provider and act in the best interest of both the student and education provider.

 

Oflate there has been some attacks against Indians over there... and also some colleges have been closed leaving Indians in lurch..I would always suggest you to do some more research and feedback from Indian students overthere instead of relying on someone..

 

@rollychowdhury, are you spamming??

 

I think After earning an associate Degree, students simply need to study for two more. their degree in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

 

whats the point of this? whats the question?

 

It is not a safe place to study.

 

Interesting comment. I'm assuming you've studied in Australia then? Let me ask this. Does no one get assaulted in India? Like is India a totally crime free country? Is India a safe place to study, or even visit?

I only ask because when I make comparisons between the 2 countries, logic would suggest that India is a far more dangerous country just to live in let alone study in.

What does Australia offer to overseas students?

Highest quality education available at a reasonably affordable price.
Established infrastructure such as phones, gas, electricity to ALL people.
Established public transport.
Police protection with very minimal corruption.
No forced religious participation.
Freedom of expression.
The right to protest - and remember this is for non citizens.
CLEAN DRINKING WATER.
Fair laws for all people of all races, religions, color or creed.

And yes, as one commenter mentioned there have been some attacks on people walking the streets late at night. Oh they happened to be Indian students. So of course that must mean that this ONLY happens to Indian students but not to Australians or any other nationality. Come on guys seriously. Show me a country where it's safe to walk the streets alone in the middle of the night. Australia is actually on of the safest nations on earth in that respect.

But more to the point - how many of those attributes I've listed above can India provide?

Am I allowed to protest because the Indian government treats me like a foreigner?

Am I going to get the same protection that a local does from the police?

Can I travel from one end of the country to the other without worry of being kidnapped?

Can I have power, heat, and phone if I live in the middle of the desert or the bush?

Can I stand in the main street and declare that I don't believe in any of your religions without being arrested or even killed?

Can I get clean drinking water no matter where in the country I live?

When you can answer yes to all of the questions above then you'll have the right to criticize a country that happily accommodates and educates you, keeps you as safe and warm as possible, and holds no caveat over you for doing so.

Here's the thing about Aussies - we don't give a rats ass about your home land, your religion, your beliefs or anything else for that matter. Nor do we force you to live by our customs and traditions. Your free to participate or not. Just as you are free to come here to get your education - or not.

But making statements like Australia is not safe because 3 people got bashed, in fact they got mugged for their money and phone, is just ridiculous. Unless of course people in India don't get mugged, or robbed, or assaulted in any way shape or form. If that's the case then I'll swallow my words.

 

I disagree. i've never encountered any kind of violence against any race in the 5 years i studied in Australia (in Perth). It was a few isolated events.

To generalise like that is a bit ridiculous, it's like saying that, for example, India or Indonesia is unsafe and not fit to go to because of getting pickpocketed (which has happened to me, by the way) - try, there may be pickpockets but to generalise that the entire nationality as a whole are criminals and that you should just avoid it is ridiculous.

 

I'm an Aussie and live on the Gold Coast which has a huuuge population of Chinese, Arab and Indian students among others. Come and join, it's a great place!

 

Evidently you're influenced a bit too much by what you watch on TV.