India ranked second in number of international students enrolling themselves for courses in Australia after China, Lyndon Joseph, the Manager of IDP Education, said.
Enrolment growth from India remained high at 14.5 per cent in 2006. Close to 43 per cent of higher education enrolments were in 'Business Administration, Management'. The next largest field of study is computer science and information systems, he said.
Enrolment growth is increasing in medicine, nursing and health services, which grew by 21.5 per cent in 2006, up from 18.9 per cent in 2005, he said.
IDP, which recently conducted a recruitment drive in Chennai, is expected to admit more students this year, he said adding that more than 42,000 Indian students were studying in Australia at present and this might go up by 3,000 this year.
IDP Education Australia has been organising education exhibitions and interviews in India for the past 12 years.
"This programme is supported by the Australian Trade Commission-Government of Australia. Over the years, Australia has seen a significant growth in international student enrolments," he said.
According to Australian Education International's report, foreign students comprise 36 per cent of higher education enrolments in the country.
As per the figures of 2006, New South Wales had 61,716 foreign students, Victoria 53,801, Queensland 24,576, Western Australia 15,005, South Australia 10,676, ACT (Australian Capital Territory) 4,066, Tasmania 2,232 and Northern Territory 222, he said.
