Edlocate once again proved its standing as a strong and a reliable agent in Sri Lanka for students to enter Australian universities and pathway institutions for tertiary studies. Amongst the students were school leavers for undergraduate courses, professionals for post graduate courses and students on a twinning programmer. A pre departure get together was held at Edlocate premises last weekend to introduce students to each other and parents of students too were invited to participate. The counseling and support staff were at hand to give last minute "advice' to students and parents.

Edlocate's Australian representative office not only assists students in Australia but also keeps a close track on developments in the education system in Australia. They advise the counseling staff in Sri Lanka of education providers, changes in courses, institutional changes etc on a continuous basis so that counseling to students is comprehensive with updated information. Following are some of the recent developments communicated by the Australian representative office.

Tertiary education in Australia is subjected to stringent quality controls by many bodies. Just this week the AQF (Australian Qualification Framework) Council has rejected the plans by at least two Go8 universities to badge some new masters-level degrees as doctorates. The AQF is also attempting to tackle the proliferation of master's degrees that don't meet guidelines. "The Australian PhD is still very well regarded internationally," said an adviser of CAPA and it would be a shame to see this eroded through the misuse of terms. This in itself show the attempts to keep the Australian qualifications undiluted and at the highest standards.

There is also an in depth study on attempts by certain TAFE institutes to offer degree courses with Commonwealth funding because significant expansion of degree-granting institutions would risk lowering standards. It is said that TAFE by going on this pathway would lead to a "race to the bottom of the barrel", instead of better preparing such students through pathway programmes for university.
There had also been a clearing of dodgy education providers. There were closures of 16 providers last year, 15 this year and another 2 closures just a few weeks ago displacing a large number of students. The authorities have estimated the number of high-risk providers to be between 200 and 300 colleges. Some 50 odd formerly accredited colleges had failed to apply for re-registration.

Australia needs skilled migrants. It requires young well educate people to join the work force but they must have the qualifications in skills Australia need. The new skilled migration scheme gives more weight to employer/states nominated applications thus, it is best to study in a recognised university either directly or a through a reliable pathway provider so that you could get such a nomination on completion of the course. Edlocate with direct representation of 15 well recognised universities in Australia spread over almost all states is geared to show the right pathway to students.