Sada-e-Watan
Sydney ™
sadaewatan@gmail.com
High Commissioner H.E. Mr. Babar Amin's Virtual Meeting with NSW Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Hon. Dr Geoff Lee, NSW Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education
On Monday, 5th July 2021, the High Commissioner for Pakistan H.E. Babar Amin held a meeting with the Honourable Dr Geoff Lee, NSW Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education.
The High Commissioner H.E.
Babar Amin briefed the Minister about cooperation between Pakistan and
Australia in Education sector. A large part of Pakistani students as well as
the community were located in New South Wales that were positively contributing
to the development and people to people contacts between both the countries.
There was immense potential of growth in that sector, he further informed the
Minister about his engagement with various Australian Universities, especially
in NSW.
The High Commissioner Babar Amin also raised the issue of
Pakistani students enrolled in different Universities and who were unable to
join their universities in Australia due to the Covid-19 related travel
restrictions. While referring to the NSW’s plan for bringing students into
Australia, the High Commissioner requested the Minister to give due priority to
the Pakistani students. He also offered to bring a chartered flight into NSW if
the government allowed while making special quarantine
arrangements.
The Minister Hon. Dr Geoff Lee said that bringing back all international students in a phased manner, was priority of NSW government. The pilot plan would bring only 250 students per fortnight. The numbers will have to be subsequently increased. He assured to raise the issue of Pakistani students in Vice-Chancellors Committee.
Hon. Dr Geoff Lee also
offered to raise the issue within the NSW Task Force for students’ return to
create a transit hub in the Middle East as well to facilitate Pakistani and
other South Asian students. He added that under current plan, NSW universities
were tasked with arranging flights for students. However, NSW government will
consider Pakistani proposal for a chartered flight in coordination with the
universities.
The High Commissioner Babar Amin expressed his readiness
in offering any assistance for bringing the students into Australia. He also
briefed the Minister regarding improved Covid-19 situation in Pakistan, which
was conducive for students’ return.
