More RI students opt for Australia
JAKARTA (JP): Language, low tuition fees, proximity and safety are some of the reasons why Indonesians choose Australia as the destination for continuing their studies, an organizer of an educational exhibition said yesterday.
Indra Lesmana, former organizer of the Indonesian Students' Association in Australia, said familiarity with the English language among Indonesian students and the relatively short distance are prompting an increasing number of students here to study in Australian universities.
Indra was at Jakarta's Aryaduta Hotel as a staff member of the Australian Universities Expo. The exhibition, which ends today, represents 10 state-run Australian universities in New South Wales.
Jane Baker, an exhibition organizer, said that the number of foreigners studying in Australian universities has increased about 1,000 people per year, making it 6,000 this year, including those who attend short courses at privately run colleges.
Supporting Indra's statement, Baker said Indonesian students prefer to study in Australia because all of the universities are recognized by the Australian government.
She said most tuition fees are relatively lower, at A$6,000 (US$4,500) a year, compared to those in other Western countries.
In addition, a student must fork out around A$10,000 each year to cover their cost of living.
Over the past few years, thousands of Indonesian students have gone abroad, usually to English-speaking countries, to study at various colleges and universities.
Most students who can afford to study overseas are from upper middle class families. They have to pay very high entrance fees and face tough competition before they can be accepted at reputable universities or higher learning institutions.
"The fact that there are many (Asian) immigrants in Australia also gave confidence to the Indonesian students to study in Australia," Baker said.
Organizers of the exhibition said that another advantage for Indonesians graduates of overseas universities is that they will get higher salaries than people graduating locally due to their skills and performances. (03)