Reeling from drastic revenue cuts consequent to reduced overseas admissions in the wake of racial attacks on Indians, companies promoting Australian universities are engaging cricketing legends to revive the Aussie dream amidst students here.
Former Australian captain Steve Waugh was specially flown up to Chandigarh on Monday to reassure local students that his country was a safe place.
“Australia has always welcomed Indian students and we make sure that our country is totally safe for them. We would make the best effort to look after the safety and security of international students and that they have a great time in Australia,” Mr Waugh solemnly promised at a news conference in Chandigarh. The former captain has been hired as brand ambassador by the global education consultancy Navitas which has partnerships with nearly 1,500 colleges and universities abroad.
But evidently instructed to hard sell Australia during his Indian tour, Mr Waugh insisted that “99.9 per cent” of the students from India greatly enjoyed their academic experience. “They have always had good stories to share,” he said.