Andrea Mears, Melbourne
RMIT appears to be looking to end a project that provides tuition-free scholarships for a small number of refugees. Currently, 61 refugees are enrolled at RMIT through the project, which provides scholarships to temporary protection and bridging visa holders.
This year, the refugee project officers' hours have been reduced and there does not seem to be a commitment by RMIT to conducting a thorough evaluation of the project, as the original project plan stipulated should occur at the end of 2006.
The refugee project, launched by the university in December 2003, arose out of RMIT's response to opposition to its bid in 2002 to win a government contract to provide education to asylum seekers being held in immigration detention centres. Opponents of the bid questioned the quality of education, the learning environment, and how the university would be contributing to the legitimatisation of the government's policy of mandatory detention of "illegal" asylum seekers.
Each year since the project began, 30-40 potential students apply and undergo a rigorous selection process. Ten people are selected for higher education places, while RMIT does not limit the number on TAFE positions.
"Without this program, the only way I could attend this university is by paying international student fees, which is not possible", one of the refugees involved in the project told Green Left Weekly.
If you would like to participate in efforts to save the RMIT refugee project, phone Nicki on (03) 9925 3083 or email <suche.welfare@rmit.edu.au>.
From Green Left Weekly, May 31, 2006.
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