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Tragic Death of International Students in House Fire PDF Print E-mail
Written by The Age January 4 2008   

Investigators remove a body from the Footscray house.

Julia Medew, Miki Perkins and Andra Jackson
January 4, 2008

EMERGENCY services are urging people to install smoke alarms after firefighters failed to find any devices in a Footscray house where three Indian students burned to death yesterday.

Neighbours and firefighters were unable to save the three men after fire broke out about 12.45am.

Police said the men, Deepak Kumar Prajapati, 32, Jignesh Kumar Sadhu, 24, and Sunil Ramanlal Patel, 24, had been living in Australia for about two years. They were boarding at the Ballarat Road house with friends. Two of the men are believed to have studied hospitality and horticulture.

The family they were living with, a couple and their five-year-old daughter, escaped the blaze by smashing a window along the side of the weatherboard house. Police were unsure whether the front door had been deadlocked.

Investigators believe the fire, which burnt the entire property and damaged surrounding houses, was started by a faulty computer monitor exploding in the bedroom where the men were trapped.

Landlord Phong Nguyen said he did not know the three students were living in the house, which his real estate agent had leased to the family of three about 18 months ago. He said there were smoke alarms in the three-bedroom house.

"I'm disappointed … I don't know what to say," he said.

Metropolitan Fire Brigade Commander Frank Stockton said it appeared there were no smoke alarms inside.

"The fire brigade have been out there since early this morning, with the arson squad and forensic scientists, and they're looking for the cause of the fire, but … they haven't seen any evidence of a smoke alarm."

Commander Stockton said that since 1999, it has been compulsory for owners of properties in Victoria, including landlords, to install smoke alarms.

The students' deaths brought to seven the number of people killed in house fires in Victoria in the past 12 days.

Commander David Bruce said the spike in house fires was unusual during summer, when people were not as likely to be operating heaters and other appliances.

"There's a couple of messages we want to get across," he said. "If you notice anything, get onto emergency services straight away, and install smoke alarms."

Commander Bruce said people should test their alarms weekly and urged that doors not be deadlocked.

Don Riddington, a manager of registered student accommodation, said he was aware that rooms in many houses were sublet to students whose names were not on the lease.

Victoria University spokeswoman Andy Gash said many students lived in shared housing that resembled boarding houses.

Under the Rental Act, landlords are required to give all residents a booklet on their rights and obligations, but there was no requirement they be shown safety features such as smoke alarms, she said.

The university's housing service runs information sessions that cover issues such as alarms.

Raj Dudeja, editor of the Melbourne-based Indian Voice newspaper, said there were about 10,000 Indian students in Melbourne. He said many Indian students would probably not read booklets given to them by landlords because they were "a bit lazy".

"In India, normally such boys are (looked after) by their parents, by elders or responsible persons in the family. These kids don't undertake such responsibilities or they don't go into these kind of problems in the house."

Six young Indians, five students and one nurse, have now died in Melbourne in the past month. A man and a woman drowned at a dangerous surf beach near Anglesea in December while nurse Robin Saraphul, 26, was hit by an out-of-control car in the city on Boxing Day.

Mr Dudeja, who leases a house in Footscray to Indian students, said young Indians studying in Australia should be trained in Australian regulations.

"I think there must be some sort of compulsory training or at least introduction before they come here. What are the regulations in Australia? What the Australians are expecting from you as a neighbour, as a tenant."

There was also a need to alert them to risks associated with Australian beaches, he said.

Neighbour: 'We just couldn't help him'

  • Julia Medew
    January 4, 2008
WAYNE Gooch was sleeping in his Footscray home when a crackling sound woke him just after midnight.

"It sounded like rain on the window," he said yesterday, gently rocking against a fence. "But when I went out and checked what was going on, I realised the house next door was on fire."

Worried about his neighbours' safety, Mr Gooch quickly called triple-0 from the street. He was interrupted by a family of three who had just clambered from the burning Ballarat Road house through a window.

"I was on the phone to the fire brigade and he (the neighbour from the burning house) came up and grabbed the phone. He was yelling at the fire brigade to hurry up," he said. "They were frantic, just frantic."

Realising there were other people inside, Mr Gooch and his brother, Ian, ran to a window of the old weatherboard house to try to get them out. His brother called out: "If you're in the room, come to the window."

But by then, black smoke was pouring from the house. Mr Gooch was trying to quench the fire with buckets of water, but another neighbour smashed a window and the flames took an even stronger hold.

"We heard a bloke burning and screaming," Mr Gooch said. "We were screaming at him to go to the window, but then he just stopped. We got the front door open, seen the bloke in the middle of the passageway, rolling around, but we just couldn't help him: the flames were on both sides of the wall."

The man was one of three Indian students boarding with the family next door. They all died in the blaze, which police believe began when one of the students' computers caught fire.

Later, firefighters searched in vain for evidence of smoke detectors in the rubble. The wife of one of the men, dressed in bright pink silk, approached the black wreckage of the house, supported by friends.

Firefighters helped her as she combed through what was left of her husband's life. She collected items from inside and put them carefully into a plastic yellow bag.

A short time later, friends drove her away. A distraught Mr Gooch followed her lead.

He turned to walk away from the fire trucks lining the street and said grimly, "I'm just going to see about moving house now."
 
Accommodation Articles PDF Print E-mail
Written by ISD   
Courier Mail, The (Brisbane, Australia)
November 24, 2007
Edition: 1 - First with the news
John McCarthy
Section: News
Page: 022
Record Number: CML_T-20071124-1-022-724214


       BRISBANE City Council is seeking wide-ranging powers to raid suspected illegal boarding houses.
     Residents in the MacGregor-Sunnybank areas on Brisbane's southside are forming action groups to pressure state and local governments over the area's growing number of boarding houses, some apparently housing up to 15 students from nearby Griffith University.


       The council admits the issue has the potential to spill over into racism because the boarding houses are predominantly used by Asian students.


       Makeshift signs have also appeared in the area urging ``Aussies'' to take action.


       Even Neighbourhood Watch groups are complaining to the council, but most are reluctant to talk publicly because of the fear of being branded racist.


       The issue has become so potent that the Brisbane City Council is likely to demand legislative power from the State Government to allow it or some other state agency to enter suspect homes, inspect and investigate any illegal activity.


       It is also desperate to support a $1.3 billion-a-year industry catering to about 45,000 overseas students in the city.


       Deputy Lord Mayor David Hinchliffe said some houses were accommodating up to 15 students and seven cars, with charges as much as $150 to $200 for a shared bedroom or a converted garage.


       ``I don't believe there is an anti-Asian sentiment,'' he said.


       ``I do believe there is a justified concern about local residential amenity. So they are charging a $1000 a week for something that's worth $200 or $300.


       ``They are making a killing and ruining the amenity, but also leaving students with a very sour taste about Australian accommodation.


       ``I would hate for this ever to become a racial issue. The students should not be blamed for accommodation standards.''


       A resident said people were concerned about falling property values because many of the houses were unkempt, noisy and overcrowded.


       Cr Hinchliffe said the council needed to work with the state to determine the best agency to act.




Copyright, 2007, Nationwide News Pty Limited


==================================================
EX-SQUEEZE ME - mX SYUDY GUIDE '08

MX (Sydney, Australia)
December 3, 2007
Edition: 1 - SYD
DANI COOPER
Section: Features
Page: 016
Record Number: MXS_T-20071203-1-016-326409


       Avoid the rent rut - check in to a uni bed near you, writes DANI COOPER
     With the inner-city rental crisis putting the squeeze on housing for students, many universities are looking to fill the gap.


       The University of Technology, Sydney, has announced plans to build 1000 new beds.


       UTS Deputy ViceChancellor and VicePresident Resources Patrick Woods says students are finding it increasingly difficult to secure rental accommodation.


       Although it will be another three years at least before UTS has the extra places available, Woods says there will always be students preferring to live in university accommodation.


       "In the open market, students are bedding down five to a one-bedroom place," Woods said.


       He says while the university cannot control private rental prices, it can help students by offering an alternative to the private sector.


       Association of Heads of Australian University Colleges and Halls president Yvonne Rate says increasing rents in the private sector has made the cost of on-campus colleges more comparable.


       Rate says many universities are looking to increase their student accommodation, but says we're unlikely to see an increase in collegiate-style residences.


       Instead, universities are more attracted to apartmentstyle living, she says.


       However, these styles of accommodation do not offer the same levels of pastoral care, security and academic support that colleges can offer.


       It is an argument Sydney University's Women's College resident Clare Burgess backs.


       The 20-year-old media and communications student is about to enter her third year living on campus.


       Burgess said she opted for college living because she "wanted to get a holistic experience of university and wanted to get involved in sport and music and drama".


       And according to Burgess, her college life has exceeded all expectations.


       Aside from the ease of access to university, Burgess says college living has helped her develop a broad network of friends and to continue her interest in sport through intercollegiate games.


       And, of course, there is the extensive social calendar - although this can also be one of the main challenges of college life.


       "There's always someone who wants to do something.


       Being able to balance that is one of the difficulties of college life," she said.




Copyright, 2007, Nationwide News Pty Limited
 
Bank Knocks Back Foreign Students PDF Print E-mail
Written by ISD   
Banks knock back foreign students

INTERNATIONAL students are missing out on work experience vital to their residency applications because banks prefer to employ Australian citizens and permanent residents, a student spokesman has said.

Wollongong Undergraduate Students Association research officer Jason Hart said he had seen a number of complaints from well-qualified students who had been knocked back on job applications. 

Mr Hart, a former Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations president, said students on 485 and 476 visas needed study-relevant work to gain points towards permanent residency. 

But recruitment policies ruled them out. 

One bank, NAB, states on its website: “We are only able to accept applications for our graduate program from people who are Australian or New Zealand residents or who already hold Australian permanent residency. 

“Holders of skilled graduate subclass 485 or 476 visas are not eligible to apply for roles with NAB.” 

A Department of Immigration and Citizenship spokesman said: “Holders of 485 or 476 visas are not permanent residents of Australia but they have either Australian qualifications or qualifications from selected recognised overseas universities in occupations in demand in Australia. 

“They have full-time unrestricted work rights in Australia and DIAC encourages employers to consider applications from these visa holders.” 

NAB was contacted for comment but did not reply. 

NSW Anti-Discrimination Board president Stepan Kerkyasharian said: “On the face of it, it might appear to be discriminatory but there may be arguments for it, such as if the student's residency status is not clear they may not be able to take up the job. 

“They may be only be able to work 20 hours a week and the company can argue that it's a full-time job.” 

Mr Hart said other financial institutions had disqualified non-resident applicants. 

He said students were losing their chance to work the required 1000 hours in 18 months to earn PR points. 

One, Colombian commerce graduate John, who did not want to be further identified, had 110 out of the necessary 120 points and could not get a job where he needed it for the extra points. 

John graduated this week with a masters in banking finance from the University of Wollongong. 

Mr Hart said: “He could work as a waiter but to get the 10 points needed to satisfy the skilled visa category, he needs to work in a bank.” 

Students who couldn't get the right work “just have to go home”, Mr Hart said. 

The 476 visa is available to recent overseas graduates in specified disciplines who have skills in demand in Australia. It is valid for 18 months and has unrestricted work and study rights. 

The 485 visa allows overseas students to remain in Australia for 18 months to gain skilled work experience or improve their English language skills. 

Holders can apply for residency if they have the 120 points.



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Time to Stop Milking the Cash Cow PDF Print E-mail
Written by Christopher Ziguras   

Time to stop milking the cash cow

Christopher Ziguras - Christopher Ziguras is associate professor of international studies at RMIT University
October 22, 2007

We should treat international students as though they were our own.

THE Australian higher-education system is in some ways one of the world's most globally integrated. After two decades of promoting ourselves to overseas students, we have the world's highest ratio of international to domestic students.

The benefits of this have been enormous, not only for the millions of students who have come here seeking opportunities and experiences not available at home, but also for Australia's ability to engage with our region. Australia is clearly a very attractive study destination for young people but our educational reputation could, and should, be much better. We have been successful in building student numbers and in integrating ourselves into the global higher-education market. But this growth is declining, and maintaining our global position will be much more about building our quality and reputation. A major impediment is that we treat international students differently from domestic students and in ways that appear increasingly parochial and petty.
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Even student recruitment migrates to call centres PDF Print E-mail
Written by Gerard Healy, The Australian   

Even student recruitment migrates to call centres

The Australian

Guy Healy |

October 03, 2007

PEOPLE from Asia and India - the familiar homes of call centres that service Westerners - are being employed in Australia to help recruit their former countrymen and women for Australian universities.

Fourteen local universities -- including Monash, the University of Queensland, the University of Sydney, Deakin, La Trobe, Swinburne, the University of Canberra and Newcastle -- and even private pre-university course provider and student recruiter IBT, use a service established by the multinational Hobsons.

Swinburne vice-chancellor Ian Young said the institution's international enrolments had increased by more than 20 per cent for each of the past two years.

Most of the growth came from "professionalising" the marketing and enrolment process, he said. Enrolment inquiries were met by a Swinburne-trained operator at what Professor Young described as a call centre.

"The people who answer the phone are trained by us; they know how to answer all the questions," he said.

Hobsons is a subsidiary of the DMG Information division of the Daily Mail and General Trust, one of the largest media groups in Europe, but it is best known locally for its annual Good Universities Guide.

Hobsons managing director David Harrington told the HES that during the past seven years of operation, Hobsons' Melbourne-based centre had grown to the point where it was recruiting about 25 per cent of a participating university's international student enrolment.

"Some 99 per cent of communications done with students is by email by our 40 staff in the Melbourne CBD, who work from 7am to 7pm Australian time.

"We guarantee to have a 24-hour turn-around time on every student inquiry.

"To the student, we are Swinburne, for example. We reply as Swinburne, answer their queries, take them through the application and (make the offer) all the way to enrolment."

Previously, universities would often send inappropriate responses to prospective students, such as the same brochure twice, leaving the student wondering about the level of the university's interest in the student, he said.

"This not just about making money but about the quality of customer service.

"The university should know what the student has asked beforehand and we do."

Mr Harrington said Hobsons' operation contributed to Australia's highly sophisticated student recruitment practices, which were years ahead of its competitors in the US and Britain.

 
 
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