Chancellor backs imposition of overseas students’ cap

The chancellor of Australia’s University of Queensland has strongly backed the imposition of caps on international student numbers, saying it is more to do with the integrity of universities as public institutions than managing migration numbers, writes Julie Hare for the Australian Financial Review.

Peter Varghese, a former head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said a maximum figure of around 40% overseas students was appropriate.

“The need for a cap is fundamentally to prevent our universities drifting towards becoming global businesses rather than public institutions primarily dedicated to the education of Australian students,” Varghese said. “Without such a cap, the allure of international student fees becomes irresistible and will inevitably go well beyond 50%.”
Full report on the Australian Financial Review site