In the wake of alleged racial attacks on Indians in Australia, the envoy of Australia today said safety of international students was top priority of his government.
Australian high commissioner in India Peter Verghese called on Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal at the latter's residence here and assured him of the safety and security of Indian students, including those from the state.
The Australian government was deeply concerned over the recent attacks on Indian students and the police forces had been sensitised to ensure safety and security of the students at all cost, Verghese said, according to a release issued by the state government.
"The safety of these international students was a first order priority for the Australian government," the release quoted him as saying.
Verghese said the Australian government would make every effort to ensure that the attacks were not repeated and the country remained a preferred destination for students from across the world.
He said his government has recently increased the cost of living for international students so that they could focus on their studies rather than finding jobs to ensure financial security.
The cost of living for international students in Australia was increased from $12,000 to $18000 (approximately Rs7.20 lakh) annually, he informed the chief minister.
Verghese asked the students from Punjab to shun the practice of doing jobs as taxi drivers in metros as these was highly risky and advised them not to visit crime prone areas.
The envoy suggested that an orientation programme for the students should be organised at New Delhi before they leave for Australia so that they get attuned to the socio-cultural scenario of the country. He also evinced keen interest in collaborative research programmes between Australia and the Punjab-based universities to impart quality higher education.
The Australian government would soon set up a trade and commerce department at Chandigarh to boost the bilateral trade between the two countries, the release quoting Verghese further said.
