South Australia to review policy on Vietnamese international students

The South Australian Department of Education will review its policy for students from the three provinces of Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Quang Binh after the decision to stop accepting students.

The information was provided by the Vietnamese Consulate General in Sydney, Australia, on the morning of February 7. This agency said it had worked with the South Australian Departmentof Education regarding the state's suspension of accepting students from three provinces: Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Quang Binh. Here, the Consulate General requested the state government to create favorable conditions for Vietnamese students to study.

According to the Consulate General, the South Australian Department of Education said it always appreciates Vietnamese students and their contributions. The policy for Vietnamese international students was made after considering many factors.

Specifically, the Department is temporarily not accepting applications from students from Nghe An and Ha Tinh until further notice. Students from Quang Binh province are also suspended from receiving applications, but this regulation may be reviewed in March.

"The South Australian Department of Education said it will review its policy for students in these three provinces," said the Vietnamese Consulate General in Sydney.

In addition, students from 6 other provinces: Hai Duong, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Dong Nai, Dak Lak, Lam Dong are required to clearly explain the purpose of applying for study and have a specific study abroad plan.

The above regulations only apply to students following the International Education Program (grade 12), not to university and vocational students.

Regulations for students in some provinces in Vietnam of the South Australian Department of Education. Screenshot — Regulations for students in some provinces in Vietnam of the South Australian Department of Education. *Screenshot*

Two days ago, responding to VnExpress, the South Australian Department of Education announced its decision to temporarily stop accepting applications from students in Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Quang Binh, after reviewing the hometowns of a small number of international students who left their boarding houses without permission.

Since December, four Vietnamese students in South Australia have been reported missing. The most recent case was in early January, when a Vietnamese student named Sunnie Nguyen, 17, left her boarding house after dinner with a backpack, clothes, laptop and identification documents. Sunnie’s phone was turned off and her social media accounts were deactivated. The landlord described the student as shy and not good at communicating in English.

According to authorities, so far, there is no information or evidence that the four students are in danger and they "appear to be actively hiding from the authorities". The incident has been reported to the country's Ministry of Internal Affairs. Police are working with agencies to determine the location and ensure the welfare of the international students.

The Vietnamese Consulate General in Sydney said it has coordinated with South Australian police to search for and assist in contacting the children's families.

Sunnie Nguyen, 17, was reported missing in Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. Photo: DM

As of October 2023, there were more than 31,600 Vietnamese students studying in Australia, ranking sixth in terms of international students, after China, India, Nepal, Colombia and the Philippines. This number includes students in secondary schools, universities, colleges, vocational training programs or English.

The South Australian Department of Education said the state has implemented the International Education Program since 1989, in more than 150 public schools. Vietnamese students are one of the largest groups. In 2023 alone, about 430 Vietnamese students enrolled under this program.

To apply for a visa, students are required to have a letter of invitation from the school, health insurance, a consent form from a parent or guardian, a letter explaining the purpose of study and the possibility of staying or leaving after completing the course, and some other documents. When changing residence, international students must declare the new address within 7 days, otherwise the visa will be canceled.

Le Nguyen - Doan Hung

Source link