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Overseas student numbers declining

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Institutions in the US, Australia and New Zealand could close as falling demand hurts their budgets

The number of Asian students wanting to study in the United States, Australia and New Zealand is on the decline, threatening the profitable education export industry. It could even drive institutions in the three countries to close.

RMIT University in Melbourne last week blamed the fall in demand for onshore education as one reason it was confronting a A$20 million (HK$109.9 million) revenue shortfall this year.

Vice-chancellor Dr Ruth Dunkin said budgets would have to be cut to maintain the university's viability.

After widespread publicity about the latest financial crisis, Dr Dunkin then announced her resignation.

New Zealand is also facing sharp falls in overseas student numbers with English language colleges badly affected. Colleges reported a sudden drop in foreign enrolments of almost 30 per cent in the past 12 months and it seems certain universities and polytechnic colleges will also suffer.

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