A fifth of the MoUs signed by all Australian Universities with Indian educational institutions are with engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu, Michael Carter, trade commissioner, Australian Consulate General, said on Sunday.
Mr. Carter was interacting with students from 19 schools across Chennai and Puducherry, telling them about higher education and research opportunities in Australia. He was at programme that facilitated the interaction of students with representatives from eight Australian universities. The programme had been arranged by the Australian Trade Commission.
The highest number of foreign students in Australia came from India, after China, he said, adding that there were over 4 lakh foreign students in 39 universities in the country.
Indian students, Mr Carter said, were specifically interested in pursuing courses in cutting-edge technologies and research areas.
Before the interaction began, organisers from Ausdia, an education consulting firm, conducted a quiz for the students. Teams from Achariya School in Puducherry, Don Bosco School (Egmore), C.K. School of Practical Knowledge (Cuddalore) and Velammal Matriculation Higher Secondary School won prizes.
“We know the natives of Australia are called aborigines but it was interesting to know they celebrate Sivaratri on the same day as us. There is a lot in common between us,” said Swasthika Madhan, a student, who had come to enquire about economics programmes in Australian universities.
Representatives from the universities of New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland, Sydney, Melbourne, Monash and Adelaide interacted with students and parents at the event. The students, mostly from class X and class XII, said they were exploring career options.
