Australia's international education sector is starting to get concerned about the future growth of Chinese student numbers as Australian universities start establishing more campuses in China and the Chinese government pushes government officials to send their children to Chinese Universities.
The number of Chinese students commencing study in Australia rose 6.4 per cent to more than 78,000 in 2013, the first increase since 2009 when Chinese student numbers dropped after bad publicity about student safety in Australia and sub-standard vocational colleges. However, these increases may not be sustainable.
The Australian Financial Review reports that state-owned newspaper China Daily has observed a downtrend in Chinese students leaving China for studies. It notes a key reason for this is that high-profile educational institutions, including Melbourne’s Monash University and New York University, are setting up campuses in China and giving parents more options.
Another factor is the "push from the central government for officials to send their children to university in China rather than overseas, as a show of confidence in the country’s education system” reports the Australian Financial Review.
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