It is said that hundreds of doctoral students with national public qualifications or full scholarships have extended visas to Australia for visiting scholars. (photo by Australian Financial Review)
According to the Australian Financial Review newspaper and the Global Times, it is alleged that a number of doctoral students and visiting scholars from Australian institutions of higher learning planning to enrol in Australian colleges and universities have extended their visa approval process in Australia, according to reports from the Australian Financial Review newspaper and the Global Times. The Chinese side expressed concern and commented that Australia`s visa extension was politically motivated, following concerns that Beijing`s influence would infiltrate local campuses.
It is reported that since May last year, hundreds of doctoral students with national public qualification or full scholarship, visiting scholars have received admission letters and invitations from famous Australian schools to apply for visas, but until March this year, they have not been granted visas. After applying for visas, these Chinese students and scholars have been waiting for the longest 10 months. The reasons the Australian authorities responded to them were "the same", saying that third parties were reviewing their visa materials, so the time would be longer.
The Global Times reported that many other outstanding foreign universities had been rejected by these students and scholars in order to be able to go to Australia. Most of their families are not well-off, without public programs or full scholarships, it is difficult to go abroad for further studies. Now, visa delays are a huge variable, and they have to prepare for the worst, ready to give up their scientific dreams and find jobs.
It is worth noting that students and scholars in deep visa difficulties are engaged in research in the fields of science and engineering, including electronic engineering, materials, microbiology, chemistry, physics and so on. The ability to obtain national public qualifications or full scholarships from Australian schools in these areas is a direct proof of the strength of these students.
It is said that hundreds of doctoral students with national public qualifications or full scholarships have extended visas to Australia for visiting scholars. (photo by Australian Financial Review)
With regard to the extension of approval time for Chinese doctoral students and scholars applying to work in Australia, (CSC), the management committee of the China study abroad Fund under the Ministry of Education, expressed concern to the Chinese Embassy in Canberra and Australian universities. The committee is responsible for sending overseas students to China at the Ministry of Education.
Last week, there was a notice on its official website that Chinese students should not choose to go to Australia in the near future. The circular also wrote that similar student visa problems began in the two years.
Australian universities have also raised concerns with the Home Affairs Department`s (Department of Home Affairs) over visa approvals, citing a 12-month visa processing period for Chinese doctoral students and academics. The applicants are believed to be subject to intelligence scrutiny and are increasingly concerned about what China calls "espionage" in Australia.
It is said that hundreds of doctoral students with national public qualifications or full scholarships have extended visas to Australia for visiting scholars. (photo by Australian Financial Review)
On Thursday night, the Ministry of Home Affairs said that the department and the Australian Embassy in Beijing had contacted the China National Fund Management Committee for studying abroad, saying that less than 40 scholars had encountered visa delays. They were subject to national security and other scrutiny.
A spokeswoman for the Ministry of the Interior said it was incorrect to believe that the situation was directed only at Chinese applicants.
(IEAA), the Australian association for international education, said the delay was a regrettable irony, given that Australia was becoming a centre for post-bachelor`s education. The association`s chief executive, Hanniwood (Phil Honeywood), said visa approvals took up to 12 months, but the Home Office website said the review process would not exceed 74 days in 90 percent of cases.
"the Australian Association for International Education recognizes that post-bachelor`s visa approval is not a simple ticker, but that a range of national priorities should be considered." "We have enrolled more students in post-bachelor`s education," Haniwood said. "it has become a trend for Asian students to come to Australia for post-bachelor`s education after completing their undergraduate education in Asia. In 2016, the number of postgraduate applications from Australia`s four largest universities increased by 11 percent."
Applications for doctorate (PhD) visas from India, Malaysia, Iran and Vietnam were also reported to have been delayed.
