Despite race attacks, Indians flock to Oz

CHENNAI: In the end, the lure of studying abroad wins hands down against the fear for life ��� if Australian government data showing the number of Indians enrolling for courses Down Under is anything to go by. Figures released by Australian Education International, the international arm of the country���s education department, indicate a 37.3% jump in the number of Indians enrolling with universities there, notwithstanding the racial attacks targeting them.
In August this year, 1,09,356 Indians enrolled for studies in Australia, compared to 79,656 in August 2008.Though the number of enrolments need not be the same as the number of students, since a student can be enrolled for more than one course, it indicates the strong interest shown in studying in that country. The jump is equally significant even when one compares the August 2009 figure with that of May 2009 ��� 85,157 students ��� when the attack on an Indian student drew international attention.