Racist attacks see Indian enrolments in Australian universities fall by 40 percent

MELBOURNE - The total number of Indian students enrolling in Australian universities has witnessed a drop of 40 percent, according to figures released by the Australian Government.

The sharp fall in enrolments come in the wake of the recent spate of violence against Indian students in Australia, News.com.au reports.

Indian enrolments fell sharply in all mainland states and the sharpest drop in enrolments was seen in vocational education and training.

However, the number of Indian students staying on in Victoria for multi-year courses rose four per cent to 26,579.

And, the total of foreign students grew by five per cent, from 111,194 in February 2009 to 116,348 in February 2010.

It was the smallest rise in many years.

China is now the main source of students to Victoria.

Chinese student numbers rose from 16 per cent last year to 31,911, while the total of all Indian students fell 5 per cent to 30,340.

Student numbers from Vietnam (6982) soared 25 per cent to overtake Malaysia (6146) for third.

Education of foreign students is Victoria’s biggest source of export income. (ANI)