Number of students going to Australia likely to rise 20%

Notwithstanding the recent attacks on students of Indian origin in Australia, the number of students going to Australia for higher studies is expected to increase by 20 per cent this year. Now, about 40,000 students go there every year, according to Gulshan Kumar Pathania, president of Association of Australian Education Representative in India (AAERI), a body of education agents.

Speaking to the media here on Tuesday, he said Andhra Pradesh sent the highest number of student -- 10,000 -- to Australia last year. This year the number would increase to about 12,000.

He attributed the recent attacks to anger brewing among the natives about the possible loss of employment opportunities and rise in cost of living. The Indian students in Australia took up odd jobs and paid higher rents forcing the natives to spend more or move away from the cities, he said.