Educationhas become one of the country's fastest growing export industries. Asian countries accounted for 9 of the top 10 intakecountries, with Hong Kong at the top of the list, followed byIndonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, China, U.S., Thailand, South Korea,India and Vietnam. So far, the much-heralded drop in Asian enrolment in Australianuniversities has not quite happened. Asia's financial crisis has had little impact on the number ofstudents from the region wishing to pursue their studies inAustralian universities, said a recent report in the Sydney MorningHerald. To many, the continued flow of Asian students toAustralia reflects the importance Asians place in higher education.
Asian families are less likely to skimp on iteven during times of austerity.
In the latest intake in March, half of the overseas studentsenrolling in the media communication course came from Thailand,revealed Dr. Naren Chitty, ICP director. Asian students have madeup 90 percent of the course intake, exceeding the target by 40percent. Gina, another postgraduate student in the samecourse, had to do an 18-month diploma bridging course at theuniversity. She got 5 marks below the required entrance mark of70, but was still able to get in. Not all are happy with the quality of education they get atsome Australian institutions.