Oz deputy PM acknowledges legitimacy of Indian students' concerns

Canberra, Mar. 3 (ANI): Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard has admitted that Indian students' concerns about the quality of education and safety measures in Australia are "legitimate."

"We have all watched with concern at the controversy that has developed in relation to Indian students and the issues that have been highlighted in the public debate," The Australian quoted her, as saying.

"Legitimate concerns have emerged about quality, about safety, about language competency and about the support for students in the international education sector," she added.

After months of controversy over the safety of Indian students, particularly in Melbourne after a series of attacks, and the collapse of education providers, Gillard said the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency would assure quality for international students.

"Ultimately TEQSA will be at the heart of any effective response to these issues by bolstering our reputation by assuring quality for all students domestic and international students alike," she said.

Gillard, who is also Australia's Education Minister, announced the new "My University" website comparing university performance.

Building on the success of the myschool website, the new initiative will inform students and parents about the quality of university teaching.

"I announce that the government will implement a complimentary measure to the myschool website, a "My University" website which will help inform students about institutions, courses and pathways," Gillard said.

"It will showcase the quality of Australia's higher education providers," she added.

In future, she said, Australian universities would be required to publish more information on their courses, campus facilities, support services, learning outcomes and quality of teaching. (ANI)