Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu:

Pac Asia Services Private Limited (PASPL) organised Australian Education Fair at Hotel Radisson on February 24 with an aim to provide first hand information and counselling to the students who are aspiring to fly to Australia for their further studies. Hundreds of students from different academic backgrounds were seen bustling going through the prospectus and brochures of the universities to sum up questions.

The representatives from five universities — University of Wollongong, Sydney; Victoria University, Melbourne; Norte Dame University, Perth; University of Southern Queensland and Billy Blue Schools, Sydney provided counselling services to the students. “The students were offered spot admissions and we got an overwhelming response from the students,” said Subash Gauchan, marketing officer, PASPL. He also informed that the institution offered complete admission counselling and also assured of visa accommodation. “As most of the Australian Universities do not provide scholarship schemes, we offer on- and off-campus employment and full time employment during holidays,” added Gauchan.

The courses ranged from Diploma, Post Graduate, Undergraduate and Master’s Degree. “Though universities vary in terms of the total GPA needed, IELTS is a must in most of the Australian Universities. However, sometimes TOEFL too is accepted,” said Pushpinder Bhatia, managing director, PASPL. Referring to the visa processing time, Bhatia informed that it usually takes eight to 12 weeks and said, “If the students start now, they will easily be able to get admission for July semester.”

The highlight of the fair was that the students got an opportunity to interact with the representatives and students seemed to be happy as everyone was getting personal attention. Gauchan said that the choices of universities is wide and not restricted to just one or two.

One of the representatives, Margie Thomas, director of careers and marketing, Billy Blue Schools, Sydney, said, “We have programmes in Hotel Management and Graphic Design and we focus more on integrated programmes of practical skills and academics.”

Mona Malik, consultant, Victoria University, Melbourne, informed, “There are three levels, namely TAFE, Bachelors and Masters and the basic faculties are Life Sciences specialisation, Science and Technology (Bio Diversity), Tourism, Hospitality, etc.”

Bhatia informed that PASPL is looking forward to organising another fair in April. “Since we are planning to invited more universities, we definitely will have much better participation next time,” he added.