University of Sydney to downplay academic excellence entry criteria

Many questions that the University of Sydney's "green paper" failed to address include how one defines "disadvantaged" and the weightage subjective interviews and aptitude tests compared to more objective HSC exam.

The University of Sydney wants to introduce US-style quota systems with set targets to increase the number of disadvantaged and regional students, and make greater use of aptitude tests, references and general interviews when admitting students.

A higher education diploma to provide an alternative route to degree-level study for promising students from disadvantaged backgrounds would also be investigated.

Jenny Allum, the principal of SCEGGS Darlinghurst, said the proposals being put forward were too blunt a measure to redress disadvantage.


Larissa Treskin, the principal of James Ruse Agricultural High School, said she was enthusiastic about initiatives ... but she said the university should avoid viewing the HSC as a narrow measurement of ability and focus on its ability to foster critical thinking, problem solving and research skills.


http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/quotas-planned-for-uni-students-20100318-qiff.html

Australian universities to set up campuses in India

This piece of news will please all parties in India and Australia and provide conditions for mending strained bilateral relations following the spate of "coincidental" attacks on Indian students and recent migrants.

AUSTRALIAN universities would be free to set up campuses and issue degrees in one of the world's biggest education markets if an Indian government plan to open up its tertiary education sector to foreign competition wins the support of parliament.

India's national cabinet has approved a bill that would allow
foreign education providers to operate in India amid booming demand for tertiary education. About half of India's 1.15 billion people are under 25 years of age and Kapil Sibal, India's Minister for Human Resource Development, said that 40
million young people will be going to university over the next 10 years in India.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/our-unis-could-set-up-in-india-20100316-qcml.html

Australian universities can sustain its earnings highly dependent on educating foreign students without hurting the sensitivities of some intolerant locals and those concern about competition for jobs.

These graduates who studied in campuses based outside Australia would not enjoy advantages under the immigration points system; applicants must have studied in a local university for at least two years.

http://www.workpermit.com/australia/point_calculator.htm

Previous posts on the subject of migrant students :
http://ausletters.blogspot.com/2010/01/admit-and-capitalise-dealing-with.html