Students benefit from liberalization

Students benefit from liberalization

I am writing in regard to an article published in The Jakarta
Post on Oct. 27 entitled Govt committed to liberalizing
education sector.

In the article, Rector Sofian claims that the inclusion of the
education sector in current World Trade Organization
(WTO)--General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) talks is a
maneuver by the United States and Australia to obtain greater
business opportunities in developing countries.

Education services are included in the framework according to
the WTO's own definition that "services" include any service in
any sector (except services supplied in the exercise of
governmental authority). The coverage of the GATS is extremely
wide reflecting that services are the largest and most dynamic
component of both developed and developing country economies.

Education, like all other service sectors, formed part of
original negotiations back in the early 1990's. Current
multilateral discussions regarding education are simply a
continuation of this process and not an issue that has been
"included" or recently "lobbied for" by any particular country.

Sofian also claims that the 2003 survey by Tong University in
Shanghai ranking the top 500 universities does not include any
institutions in the region. In fact, the Asia-Pacific region is
well represented with Singapore, Japan, China, South Korea,
India, New Zealand and Australia each making an appearance.

Australia, like many other developing and developed countries,
believes the cross-border provision of education can be of
benefit to all and that it should be based on true partnerships
and collaboration between countries. Australia views the
liberalization of trade in education services primarily as a
means of providing individuals in all countries with access to a
wide range of educational options.

Australia also sees the liberalization of trade in education
services as the most effective way of encouraging the
internationalization of education and enhancing flows of students
between countries. This helps foster knowledge and appreciation
on other languages, cultures and societies.

Australia strongly believes that governments must retain their
sovereign right to determine their own domestic funding and
regulatory policies/measures. Retaining this right is fully
consistent with the principle and operation of the GATS.

FIONA BUFFINTON
CEO
Australia Education International
Australian Government Department of Education,
Science and Training
Jakarta