Association Of Australian Education Representatives In India

Association of Australian Education Representatives in India AAERI (pronounced as eh`-ree) is the Association of Australian Education Representatives in India ,a unique-format independent organization that ensures the integrity and credibility of education agents who are recruiting Indian students on behalf of Australian education and training institutions. Formed in October 1996, AAERI is an initiative of Australian Education International (AEI) and the Australian High Commission in New Delhi and it is a one of its kind self regulatory body of student agents in the world. With over 160 members across India, AAERI takes an active role in policy and legislation changes that may impact the migration of Indian students to Australia such as the proposed Amendment to the Education Services for Overseas Act 2000 by the Australian Government, which is aimed at ensuring stricter norms for education consultancy agents that send international students (including those from India) to Australia for further education.

History AAERI http://www.aaeri.org/ is an independent organization under the Societies Registration Act of India, which was formed in 1996. Ms. Banu Sidharth, Education Promotion Officer at AEI under guidance of Counselor (Education and Training), Mr. Tom Calma were then actively involved in the formation of the agent association. The Association was formed keeping in mind the need for assurance of credibility of agents that recruits students on behalf of Australian education and training institutions. All prospective students can approach the AAERI and utilize the services of the organization in counseling and information support. Except from Ms. Banu Siddarth, former Education Promotion Officer at AEI on the 10 year anniversary of AAERI’s existence in 2006: “I take this opportunity to congratulate AAERI on its 10th successful year of effective operations in India. I am extremely impressed with the way AAERI has progressed professionally as an organization and how each and every member of the Association has contributed to making it a respectable and world renowned organization. Needless to say AAERI had its own challenges and milestones to cover from its infancy to adulthood, but AAERI as a family didn’t seem to be

perturbed by any challenges that came its way. AAERI has been inspirational to many including countries like New Zealand, United Kingdom, Canada and others.”

Code of Ethical Practices AAERI members agree to abide by a Code of Ethical Practices (COEP) which stipulates that they must provide services to students in a manner which reflects the established practices of Australian education and training institutions and which safeguards the interests of prospective students on the other. AAERI's Code of Ethics is based on the Australian Government’s Education Services for Overseas Students Act (ESOS Act) which makes Australian education institutions accountable for the activities of their overseas agents. All prospective students interested in utilizing the services of an education agent are encouraged to utilize the services of an AAERI member for the following among other reasons: • AAERI members abide by a code of ethical practices, which is displayed in their office. The code states clearly the services that are offered to the students. • AAERI members have agreed to serve prospective students honestly and fairly, provide them with accurate and unbiased information and to refer students to other agents if appropriate. • AAERI members agree to charge only the fee prescribed by AAERI, which is currently no more than Rs 10,000/• AAERI members have formal linkages with at least one Australian education institution.

Organizational structure and staff For more information on http://www.aaeri.org/contact.htm

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AAERI across India For information on AAERI members http://www.aaeri.org/members.htm

AAERI’s international linkages A. The Australian High Commission

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The Australian High Commission does not authorize any agents but supports an agents’ association AAERI (the Association of Australian Education Representatives in India). AAERI members have to abide by code of ethical practices which requires that they provide services to prospective students in a manner which reflects the established practices of the Australian education and training sector on the one hand and safeguards the genuine interest of prospective students on the other.http://www.ausgovindia.com/ndli/indianstudents.html B. Lists of Australian Institutes affiliated with AAERI AAERI works with all Australian universities, TAFE and registered private education providers.

Legislation by Australian government The Minister for Education, the Hon Julia Gillard, introduced on 19 August 2009 the Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Re-registration of Providers and Other Measures) Bill 2009 – an amendment to the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 which details the following: Re-registration of all institutions currently registered on Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses Overseas Students (CRICOS) by 31 December 2010.

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a. Two new registration requirements for education providers: The principal purpose of the provider is to provide education; and the provider has demonstrated capacity to provide education of a satisfactory standard. b. Providers to be required to list the names of education agents who represent them and promote their education services and to require providers to comply with any matters prescribed in the regulations concerning their agents. c. Discretionary removal of the prohibition on education providers collecting monies from studying students when a course has been suspended. d. Conditions imposed by states and territories on education providers to be recognized by the Commonwealth. e. Exemptions from punitive provider default refund requirements for providers changing their legal entity.

The amendments are the first in a series of measures the Government is taking to ensure Australia continues to offer world class quality international education in this challenging and changing environment. Further complimentary initiatives to enhance Australia’s ability to deliver quality education services to overseas students will include the review of the ESOS Act by the Hon Bruce Baird and the development of the National International Student Strategy under the Council of Australian Governments. http://www.aei.gov.au/

AAERI’s initiatives AAERI has been working towards reinforcing Australia’s standing as a high quality education destination for all genuine students and is strongly lobbying with the government bodies in India & Australia to ensure that Australia remains a high quality education destination. In September 2009 AAERI announced its ‘8-point action’ plan, a testament of its continued efforts: 8 POINT ACTION PLAN 1. Working in conjunction with DIAC and AEI to ensure student safety DIAC (Department of Immigration and Citizenship), AEI (Australia Education International) and AHC (Australian High Commissioner) are working closely with AAERI members on modules which will serve as guiding principles for Indian students planning to study in Australia. These modules are drafted keeping in mind the social and economic set up of Australia and focus on the essential ‘do’s and don’ts’ that Indian students studying in Australia should keep in mind. Students are then taken through these exhaustive modules via pre-departure briefings held by AAERI members across India. 2. Liaise with Australian and Indian government to weed out unscrupulous agents and ensure authenticity of students AAERI will continue feeding intelligence on fraudulent practices to the Australian Government bodies. In the past, AAERI has alerted the Australian High Commission several times on malicious practices of unscrupulous agents, resulting in several onshore (and some off shore) agents losing their eVisa access. This practice will continue with renewed momentum. Simultaneously, AAERI executive committee will continue working closely with the Indian Government and provide

them with industry intelligence to ensure only genuine students go to Australia, through the right channels and to quality institutes. 3. Constant interaction with Australian Government to voice concerns of the Indian student community and protect their interests Following the recent visit by AAERI delegation to Australia, deliberations have been held with Indian High Commissioner and the Consul Generals in Australia to safeguard the interests of Indian student community. AAERI had been strongly advocating for students opting for Vocational courses to be interviewed in person or on the phone and also the eVisa lodgment should have more stringent checks and balances. AAERI had shared this concern with the Indian commissioner Ms. Sujata Singh in Canberra on the 23rd July 2009. To action this, Australian High Commission has upgraded the interview process for the applicants and restricted online eVisa access facility for erring agents. 4. Facilitate interface of students with Indian communities in Australia for better exchange of ground realities AAERI is working closely with Indian community in Australia to understand the on ground situation and their concerns. AAERI will attempt to become the connecting link between the existing Indian community in Australia and the students going to study in Australia on an ongoing basis so as to instill an ‘at home’ feeling amongst students and help them adapt better to the change in environment. The Indian Society in Australia has taken certain initiatives in this regard. Indian students are regularly invited to participate in Indian cultural festivals in Australia and mingle with the existing Indian community there. This will make the students feel at the home in Australia. The Indian community is also deeply involved in conducting polling for the Indian students in Australia and wants to understand and solve the problems faced by them. This will encourage the students not to take the law in their hands which is a concern for the Australian Government. The Indian community leaders in Sydney and Melbourne are proactively writing regular articles to the potential students in the AAERI’s newsletter. This will keep the potential students informed on the current scenario and trends. AAERI news letters are widely read by the students and other non AAERI members, institutions in India and Australia and both Indian and Australian Governments officers.

5. Activating student redressal cell The disciplinary committee of AAERI will be strengthened and will work closely with authorities in India and Australia to act on substantiated complaints from students immediately. Students will be encouraged to lodge complaints against any erring AAERI agent members to the committee. 6. Training AAERI members by conducting visa training workshops AAERI will conduct visa training workshops for AAERI members across India. These workshops will be held in conjunction with DIAC to enable agents to help students during the entire visa processing stage. Another major focus of the workshop will be enabling agents to identify and route “positive profile” students to the visa level, while simultaneously weeding out fake student applications. 7. Implementing stricter norms for AAERI members AAERI will be undertake regular exhaustive audits of its current ‘Code of Ethics’ followed by all 160 members and keep improving ‘Entry Norms’ to ensure all students availing services of AAERI members are assured of quality professional advise at every step. 8. Become neutral partners to both students and education providers in Australia in case of conflict of interest AAERI members will be encouraged to assume greater responsibility in case of conflict of interest between the student and the education provider and act in the best interest of both the student and education provider.

In the News 1. AAERI announces action plan to safeguard Indian students in Australia http://www.newkerala.com/nkfullnews-1-137658.html 2. Approach AAERI for study in Australia http://www.thehindu.com/2009/10/14/stories/2009101458780200.htm

3. AAERI backs agent suspension http://www.kolkatamirror.com/index.aspx? page=article§id=77&contentid=200909182009091818180090639 781dad§xslt=&pageno=1 4. Australian Government suspends 200 agents from lodging online student visa applications http://www.pieronline.org/eatc/default.aspx? page=newsArticle&NewsId=1905 5.The path to safety http://www.deccanchronicle.com/supplementary/path-safety-310 6.50% of Gujarat students dump Australian dream http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_50pct-of-gujarat-students-dumpaustralian-dream_1315723

References • • • • • • •

http://www.aaeri.org/ http://www.aaeri.org/contact.htm http://www.aaeri.org/members.htm http://www.indiaedunews.net/International/8_Pt_Action_Plan_to_ address_challenges_faced_by_Indian_students_in_Australia_9406/ http://www.aei.gov.au/AEI/default.htm http://www.aaeri.org/codeofethics.htm http://www.ausgovindia.com/ndli/indianstudents.html