Spurned Indian students fight for refund from Australian universities

Sydney: Indian students who have been unable to return to Australia are fighting to have millions of dollars in prepaid fees to their universities refunded. The collapse of several colleges, violence against Indians and refusal to renew student visas have caused a critical situation.

The Sydney Morning Herald quoted India's Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal, as saying: "I am aware there is a problem. This is an issue that we will take up in the joint working group, which has been set up at the official level. Certainly we will talk to [the Australian government] and find out the facts."

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The Kevin Rudd government has refused to reveal the total amount of prepaid tuition fees sought despite the fact that this data is recorded on an electronic government database.

"Claims made by individual students about payments and difficulties in securing refunds are investigated on a case-by-case basis - as such it is difficult for the department to comment on this broad question," the Australian Department of Education said in a statement. The Department also says prepaid fees are protected by the Education Services for Overseas Students [ESOS] Assurance Fund.

The federal government topped up the government-run fund with a five million dollar grant in February. The fund was in danger of running dry, as several colleges collapsed last year because of a federal government crackdown. Some colleges face financial constraints due to a downturn in student enrolment, particularly from India.

Global Reach, an education agency that represents Australian universities and colleges in India, said cash-strapped private colleges were withholding refunds.

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