Arrange housing for Indian students, expat group tells varsities (Lead)

September 25th, 2009 NEW DELHI - In a bid to woo students to Australia amid reports of racial attacks down under, Premier of Australian state of Victoria John Brumby Friday said it will give progress report on the probe into attacks and proposed separate housing and transportation for Indian students. Brumby, who is leading a nine-member delegation, met Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi and Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal here Friday morning.

September 25th, 2009 NEW DELHI - John Brumby, the premier of Australian state of Victoria, Friday proposed to give separate transportation and safe housing for Indian students studying in Australia. Union Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi, after a meeting with a nine-member delegation led by Brumby, said: "It is a proposal by the Australian government.

September 24th, 2009 SYDNEY - Indian and Chinese students are fuelling Australia's education sector growth, latest statistics show. Indian student enrolments in the country reached 121,000 by this June.

August 10th, 2009 MELBOURNE/INDORE - Two more Indian students were separately assaulted by a group of men in Australia. Gaurav Kakkar, a student of a hairdressing course, was attacked by a group of men on Friday when he was talking to his family in Punjab's Ferozpur from a local telephone booth.

July 17th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The government has directed all University Grants Commission (UGC) recognised varsities to launch their own websites and make readily available all information sought by students and aspirants. After a meeting chaired by Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal here Friday, a ministry statement said the central government is concerned about certain practices being adopted that could damage the credibility of the entire university system.

July 13th, 2009 MELBOURNE - Indian students studying in the Australian state of Victoria have complained of being left out of Sunday's Walk for Harmony march. An estimated 5000 people took part in the event that represented various multicultural communities of Victoria, The Age reports.

July 10th, 2009 MELBOURNE - A group of Indian students in Australia has denounced the Victorian government's decision not to allow them to speak at a harmony walk to be led by state Premier John Brumby Sunday. The organisers of the walk have largely undone the positive efforts the government has taken in the last couple of weeks.

June 27th, 2009 MELBOURNE - An international student in Australia, Danny Ong, has written a guide for Indian students as well as for other international students in the country, which will offer essential advice to them regarding house-hunting, public transport, the justice system and the concept of human rights in Australia. The guide titled 'International Student Handbook: Living and Studying in Australia' will be published in August.

June 27th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Australian High Commissioner John McCarthy says every possible effort will be made to ensure that attacks on Indian students in Australia are not repeated, adding that the authorities will "pursue those responsible" for the assaults. In a letter to the Non-Aligned Students and Youth Movement (NASYM) that had staged a demonstration here June 18 against the attacks on Indian students in Australia, McCarthy said: "The Australian government will make every effort to ensure that attacks are not repeated and that Australia remains a preferred destination for students from around the world." He said that the Australian government is working closely with the Indian government on the issue.

June 9th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday said his government will engage with Australian authorities in a "high-level dialogue" to ensure the security of Indian students in the wake of what he called "senseless violence" against them. The government also cautioned Indian students in that country to "show restraint" and not retaliate.

June 4th, 2009 CANBERRA - China has joined India in asking Australia to provide improved protection for foreign students after a series of violent racist assaults on Indian students Down Under. "There are over 130,000 Chinese students in Australia.

June 3rd, 2009 NEW DELHI - Australian universities Wednesday joined their government in condemning the attacks on Indian students in that country. Glen Withers, the chief executive of Universities Australia - a body representing 38 universities, expressed regret at the attacks on Indian students.

June 2nd, 2009 MELBOURNE - Indian students have lost confidence in Victorian Police force that racially profiles them. Federation of Indian Students of Australia (FISA) adviser Gautam Gupta said a series of comments from Victoria Police had prompted Sunday night's protest that was marked by violence and 18 arrests.

June 1st, 2009 SYDNEY - Indian students in Australia should have their own ombudsman to whom they can go in times of trouble and the universities that admit them should arrange their accommodation for the first six months, says a committee formed after a spate of attacks on Indian students here and in Melbourne. Asserting that "Australia is not a racist country", committee coordinator Yadu Singh held: "Most of the attacks are what we call `opportunistic attacks' and due to the impression of the criminal elements about our students being the easy target for various reasons".

May 28th, 2009 MELBOURNE - In the wake of the attacks on Indian students in the country, an Australian police officer is to travel to India to brief prospective students on avoiding street violence in Australia, media reports said. Police community liaison officer Senior Constable Victor Robb said that his advice would mainly cover "safety strategy tips", Radio Australia reported Thursday.