It never troubles the wolf how many the sheep may be. (Virgil)
Australian Streamline Visa Processing is one of the innovations seen in this area in recent years. I believe that it is the right step and has the potential of helping the country gain-back the students. Most of the institutions are attempting to do the right things. However, there are definitely loop holes and not all providers and/or their agents are vigilant enough. There is a need to keep ensuring that the the minority doesn’t derail the good system. There is also a need to embrace the possible improvements and implement them in our processes.
This week “The Australian” has carried out my perspectives on the loopholes and the concerns with related to SVP. In an email to the institutions recently I did share the precautions that can be taken and now it is up-to them to take it further.
Some of my colleagues in the trade have suggested that I go a little soft and avoid being an “alarmist” and should just remain mum and enjoy the business growth. They say that by talking more on the loopholes, I will bring about more checks and unnecessarily and since majority of the members have no qualms, lets live on.
alarmist |əˈlärmist|noun
someone who is considered to be exaggerating a danger and so causing needless worry or panic.
The others believe that I have been a “whistleblower” and have appreciated the fact that I have said what I had to in the interest of the industry. We have seen the good work of many of us tarnished in last few years simply due to short-cuts and abuse on the part of a few. This led to a downturn that drove many institutions and their agents out of the market altogether. It is not correct that only the bad suffer when things go wrong…
whistle-blower |ˈ(h)wɪsəl ˌbloʊ(ə)r|noun
a person who informs on someone engaged in an illicit activity.
Well, my purpose is only as an active member of the trade, I want to ensure that this time the loopholes are plugged before they are exploited and that all those with right intentions gain at the end. What has been stated for India applies to rest of the South Asian region.
The article on 22nd May had my comments primarily as President of AAERI and the comments that appeared today (24th May) gives precise concerns that I carry and more as an education agent working with ALL Australian Universities. am sharing the article of this day here… since many of the readers of this blog are linked to the well-being of the industry in some way or the other…
System needs ‘corrections’: agent | Story & Education Stories | The Australian 24052013
I may be “alarmist” for some and “whistleblower” for the others. This is fine with me as long as my purpose of ensuring preventive measures is met. I am also interested in “quality and genuine” student numbers increasing but am also wishing that Australia re-invents itself as a destination for such students and a “pull” is created.
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