Read all comments from the Live Q& Session, conducted by Minister Jacinta Allan from Deli, India, on Monday 28th September, 2009.
| Live Q&A with Minister Allan | (09/28/2009) |
| 8:17 | Minister Allan: Hello, sorry we have connected later than the scheduled time, we had a few technical difficulties at our end. Looking forward to your questions now.
Thank you
Jacinta Allan |
| 8:17 | Minister Allan: Hi. We're experiencing some technical dificulties. We'll be with you in a minute ... |
| 8:19 |
Minister, what are the aims of your trip to India? |
| 8:20 | Minister Allan: So far the trip has been very beneficial in building closer ties between the Indian and Victorian Government. My aim is to highlight that Melbourne, Victoria is a safe,welcoming destination for students who can study at high quality education insitutions |
| 8:22 |
We've heard a lot about violence against Indian students in Melbourne ... is this widespread or is it more of a media beat-up? |
| 8:24 | Minister Allan: I acknowledge that there are concerns for the safety of students. It must be remembered that there has only been a small number of incidents, all of which have been promptly investigated by Police. One attack is on attack too many and that iswhy the Government is employing more police, giving them more powers and giving students better information so they can be safe as they enjoy living and studyingin Melbourne. |
| 8:29 | [Comment From Mahinda]
We heard that there are some scholarships for Indian students -please tell me about them. |
| 8:30 | Minister Allan: Yes, the Victorian Government is going to fund 5 scholarships for Indian students at the value of $10,000 Australian Dollars in 2010 as part of a student exchange program |
| 8:30 | [Comment From Pauline]
Do you think people in India understand that most of us in the community think attacks on international students (and violence in general) are abhorrent and this is not how we usually treat people? And that we don't like international students being treated badly by landlords or employers? Or do they think we accept it all as 'not our issue' |
| 8:32 | Minister Allan: Many of thepeople I have met with know that Australia is a very welcoming and tolerant society. Like you, I too am appalled at any attack on any student studying in our country. |
| 8:32 | [Comment From Mahinda]
How do I apply? |
| 8:33 | Minister Allan: Mahinda thank you for being interested. This scholarship was only announced on Friday in New Delhi by Victorian Premier John Brumby. Please keep an eye on studymelbourne.vic.gov.au for more information in the coming weeks |
| 8:36 | [Comment From Mahinda]
Thankyou. Where is the best place to find correct information about studying in Melbourne - is there anyone I can talk to? |
| 8:37 | Minister Allan: For information on the internet go to www.studymelbourne.vic.gov.au To speak to someone, please contact Annie Santhana at the Victorian Government Business Office in Bangalore on 41227560 |
| 8:40 | [Comment From Rajiv]
What is the government doing about the bashing of the taxi driver? |
| 8:43 | Minister Allan: Rajiv, the police attended the incident, the alleged attacker was detained and questioned by police who are continuing to gather evidence as part of their investigation. |
| 8:43 | [Comment From Sunil]
Australia are playing India in the Champions TRophy - who will win? |
| 8:44 | Minister Allan: Good question, tough question. India are number one at the moment but I saw a bit of the game against Pakistan where their batting did not hold up. Australia have one 7 of last 8 games, so are in good form and I will be backing Australia but it will be a great game between two great cricketing teams. It will be great to watch it here in India. |
| 8:45 | [Comment From Nadeem]
If I study in Melbourne and the college closes, what happens to my money? |
| 8:46 | Minister Allan: Nadeem while each individual circumstance will be different, we have in place a system of tution assurance which seeks to place any student affected by a college closure into a similar course with another education provider. If for any reason that is not possible tution fees are refunded. |
| 8:47 | [Comment From Nadeem]
Is it expensive to li ve in Melbourne .. |
| 8:49 | Minister Allan: It is no more expensive to live in Melbourne than in other cities in Australia. It is more affordable than many other comparable cities around the world. However compared to India it may well be more expensive. |
| 8:49 | [Comment From bobby]
Hi. What is a good way to research colleges in melbourne from overseas? |
| 8:51 | [Comment From gupta]
whaT ABOUT WORKING? can we work? |
| 8:51 | Minister Allan: Yes you can, a student visa allows up to 20 hours a week |
| 8:51 | [Comment From bobby]
thanks. also what is public transport like in melbourne- is it easy to get around if i don't live close to my college? |
| 8:52 | Minister Allan: Melbourne has a very good public transport system. It is very easy to get around Melbourne and Victoria. |
| 8:53 | [Comment From bobby]
is it safe to travel on public transport at night? |
| 8:54 | Minister Allan: Yes, and I travel myself by public transport at night. Like any big city you need to take precautions. The Victorian Government has funded 50 extra police around train stations. |
| 8:54 | [Comment From VS]
is there anythinng in the education strategy to help students when they go to melbourne? |
| 8:56 | Minister Allan: Yes.
Improved information through kits and study melbourne website.
A 24 hour student helpline
A new Buddy Up program.
This is in addition to a range of supports students get through their education providers and living in melbourne.
Go to study melbourne website for the details |
| 8:56 | Minister Allan: We have five minutes left. Look forward to a couple more questions |
| 8:57 | [Comment From VS]
what's buddy up? |
| 8:58 | Minister Allan: Buddy Up is a new mentoring program will match overseas students with students and members of the Victorian community who can help new students settle into life in Victoria. This will complement existing buddy systems |
| 8:58 | [Comment From BD]
What's the Buddy Up program |
| 8:58 | Minister Allan: BD please see previous answer |
| 8:58 | [Comment From Nadeem]
Is this your firsts time in India? |
| 8:59 | Minister Allan: Yes it is and it wont be my last. It is a fascinating country that everyone in Australia should know a lot more about |
| 9:00 | [Comment From Nadeem]
Where are you going next? |
| 9:01 | Minister Allan: Chandigarh and then Hyderabad |
| 9:01 | Minister Allan: Thanks everyone for a great Question and Answer session. I have really enjoyed your questions.
Thank you
Jacinta Allan |
