This year the first group of seven South Korean undergraduate students arrived on campus at Albury-Wodonga to begin a bachelor of business program.

A month ago, program co-ordinator, Associate Professor John Atkinson met with a second group of students in South Korea who are now making plans to come to Australia.

Professor Atkinson said the South Koreans were keen to come to Australia and were unperturbed by what had occurred in Melbourne.

“As far as the Koreans are concerned, it is not an issue at all; nor are the Chinese worried,” he said.

“The issue is definitely related to India. I had been planning a similar trip to India later this year which has now been called off because the students are not attending the Australian fairs.”

Professor Atkinson said he believes CSU will be able to withstand the controversy related to the attacks on Indian students due to its regional location.

“We have a lot to offer outside the mainstream areas. The Korean students have been well accepted and that is a credit to the community,” he said.

“It is a good university with good standing. I’m really excited by the program and hopefully we will be able to increase the numbers of international students coming here and not just the Koreans.

“We are hoping to expand to science and other academic programs and we are even looking at taking masters students.”

Professor Atkinson said students were required to undertake compulsory special English programs prior to starting their course and there are dedicated staff who assist in their assimilation.

“I also deal closely with the academic staff and together we try to make it so they feel welcome,” he said.

Professor Atkinson said the university had a collaborative approach to its international student program and was now working in partnership with Wodonga TAFE to establish an English language centre on the Border that would be up and running next year.

That would allow overseas students to complete their English studies on the Border rather than in Sydney or Melbourne.

“I want the students to not only come here but also to succeed,” he said.

Editorial — page 34

Saturday Focus — pages 30-31