The Hindu Business Line : South Australia woos students from India

THE South Australia's Minister for Further Education is beginning a four-city tour from Tuesday to promote joint education, research and training links with Indian institutions.

The delegation from four universities and led by the Minister, Ms Steph Key, plans to promote the State capital, Adelaide, as a destination for Indians pursuing higher studies in IT, business management and engineering.

The team comes ahead of a high-level trade mission led by the South Australia Premier, Mr Mike Rann. The mission coming in October will explore business promotion in IT, film industry, food and wine.

The Minister will also visit the 98-year-old Indian Institute of Science, with which two agreements for academic exchange are to be signed on September 6, according to a release from the Australian High Commission, New Delhi.

The delegation will visit New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore during August 30-September 6. The team will have meeting with the Union HRD Ministry, AICTE and the Association of Indian Universities. Areas of common interest and expertise have been identified, the release said.

Indian students are increasingly choosing Adelaide for higher studies, Ms Key said. "Our delegation will also be promoting the advantages Adelaide as a quality study destination for Indian tertiary students and a centre for leading-edge research of international significance." Adelaide, she said, also has the appeal of its lower cost of living, safety, security and its compact city design.

"Since July, international students in Adelaide who have successfully completed two years of full-time study towards a tertiary qualification have been able to apply for a skilled independent regional visa," she said. "Overseas students who are interested in staying on in South Australia to pursue their career attract five visa points more than most Australian cities for choosing to study in Adelaide."