Australian universities are particularly vulnerable to the global financial crisis because of their heavy reliance on fees from international students, a Melbourne academic has said.
As the government announced a multimillion-dollar plan to promote Australian universities abroad this week, Monash University academic Chris Nyland said international students contributed up to 25 per cent of some institutions' income.
'This money is so important to the universities that they are highly vulnerable. Even a small reduction could be significant and a major reduction would be terrible,' Professor Nyland said.
The government will spend A$3.5 million (HK$18 million) on a campaign to help maintain the country's share of the lucrative international student market amid fears that the economic crisis may result in fewer students heading to Australia.
The latest figures show, however, that international student enrolments have continued to rise.
Figures released this week by Australian Education International showed international student enrolments at universities, vocational institutes and schools had increased 21.4 per cent in the year to January.