'Violence against Indian students shows shortfall of Australian leadership'

Sydney, May 23(ANI): Violence against Indian students in Australia was a reflection of the dearth of policies relating to the quality of education and experience of international students, according to the International Education Association of Australia.

Association president Stephen Connelly said that Australia's promotion of its international education market is unco-ordinated, lacking leadership and strategy and undermining the lucrative sector.

He further called for the appointment of a minister for international education to ensure that Australia's third-biggest export avoids a repeat of the past year's turbulence.

"In Victoria, international education is the largest export industry by the length of Bourke Street. Yet international students don't get public transport concessions. Not only should we develop housing strategies for international students, but ... work on integration between international and domestic students at the same time," The Age quoted Connelly, as saying.

"This is our greatest diplomacy tool. There is no substitute for bringing young people here, where they learn with us and from us and make up their own minds about Australia," he added. (ANI)