Chandigarh:
Stating that majority of the recent attacks on Indian students were not racially motivated, a senior Australian official on Tuesday said the government will undertake an "early review" of an act aimed at addressing the problems faced by international students in that country.
"Our Government has decided to fast-track review process of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act and it will be completed by this year end," Colin Walters, First Assistant Secretary, Australian Education Department, told reporters in Chandigarh.
In the wake of surge in attacks against foreign students, the Australian ministers will also hold a round table meeting with representatives of international students on September 15-16 in capital Canberra and take their feedback on various issues, he said.
Walters said the number of Indian students, second highest after the Chinese, pursuing education Down Under has gone up from 10,000 a decade back to one lakh last year.
"We take the safety of Indian students as seriously as we do that of our own. However, there is no evidence to suggest the recent crimes (attacks on Indian students Down Under) have any racial basis. Though we take the safety and security of Indian and other international students very seriously, yet we can't give a 100 per cent guarantee. I think no country in the world can," Walters said.
"I wouldn't say there is no racism in Australia. Of course, there is, but majority of the incidents don't have any racial basis," he said, adding the government will maintain a "zero tolerance" attitude against such acts.
Noting that Australian police was taking every possible measure to prevent crimes against foreign students, Walters said, "In Melbourne alone, 46,000 Indian students are studying ... we have been using helicopters, taking help of forensic science and relying on infra red images to track offenders."
He said several of those involved in the crimes were brought to book, but declined to specify the number. "In some cases, the alleged offenders are below 18 years of age."
Following a meeting with Indian officials, it was agreed to put in place a system under which educational agents and consultants will be asked to give fair information and advice to the students, the official said.
He also asked the students to travel with friends or in a group as far as possible and avoid carrying expensive items.
Walters is leading a high-level delegation which is on a visit to eight Indian cities of Ahmedabad, Delhi, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore.
During their tour so far, the delegation has interacted with Indian officials, parents and students and has presented details of the initiatives taken by the Australian government for safety of international students.
However, Walters, quoting a recent survey, claimed that "85 per cent of international students and 88 per cent of those from India are satisfied with Australian education."
To a question, he said unemployment rate in Australia was only 6 per cent and the recent attacks had no link with that.
Asked if Australia would consider putting a cap on the number of international students allowed to study there, he replied in the negative.