10 pc likely drop in number of international students in Oz

Natasha Chaku
Melbourne, Oct 21 (PTI) Sliding queries from India and
strong Australian dollar will lead to up to 10 per cent drop
in the number of international university students later next
year in Australia, according to a report.
"If the drop in enquires during the last quarter
continues then the drop in enrolments in semester two 2010
could be double-digit," enquiries managers Hobsons
Asia-Pacific Hobson's managing director David Harrington was
quoted saying in 'The Australian'.
"Semester one enrolments, which is the largest intake,
will be less affected by the recent drop in enquiries due to
the 12-month pipeline. This we expect to be flat" he said.
Harrington's company represents 14 universities including
three leading research-based Group of Eight universities. His
comments follow after their overseas student enquiries fell 15
per cent overall in the latest key quarter, the report said.
They were still tracking down during October and
enrolments among highly sought-after full fee-paying
postgraduate students would be most affected, a Hobson's
spokesman said.
Indian market "is most price-sensitive so there's two
factors moving against India", Harrington said adding that
despite all that Australian education remained very hot option
for foreign students. (MORE) PTI