Relief as scholarships for Libyan students resume

MEDIA RELEASE

22 November 2011

Universities Australia has welcomed news that Libyan students will have access to their full monthly stipend from January 1 2012, with the Libyan Embassy today announcing they have begun to receive funds to support more than 650 students and their families currently studying in Australia.

Australian universities have played an important role over the last four months, ensuring the welfare of Libyan students was a top priority. Individual universities made decisions to support students through means available to them, such as providing loans to cover living arrangements and deferring tuition payments. The assistance provided by universities has afforded Libyan students and their families a sense of security during a tumultuous period.

The Government’s commitment of a $1.5 million loan to the Libyan People’s Bureau also guaranteed that Libyan students were not placed in a position of continued anxiety over their studies amid uncertainties in Tripoli.

Universities Australia CEO, Dr Glenn Withers said, “Universities Australia is pleased the Libyan Embassy is beginning to receive funds and will be in a position to disperse income for student scholarships come January. Libyan students will now have peace of mind that further study arrangements will not be disrupted, can apply themselves to their studies and better benefit from their time abroad.

“We have worked closely with the Libyan Embassy, government agencies and with member universities to provide students with much needed support during this difficult time. Colleagues overseas were also very helpful.

“Universities have engaged with the Libyan community to identify their needs and have responded accordingly. This reflects the commitment universities have to supporting all of their students.

“Universities Australia also recognises the hard work of the Libyan Embassy in securing continued funding for their students overseas given current political unrest. We hope for a smooth transition as they resume their responsibilities for student support over the coming weeks,” Dr Withers concluded.

Libyan Students Helped to Keep Studying in Australia

Joint media release:

The Hon Dr Craig Emerson MP, Acting Foreign Minister, Minister for Trade

Senator the Hon Chris Evans, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations

1 September 2011

The Australian Government will assist around 650 Libyan students, and their dependants, who have been left stranded in Australia without funds for study and living costs due to the conflict in their home country.

 The Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, Craig Emerson, and the Minister for Tertiary Education, Senator Chris Evans, last September announced a $1.5m loan to the Libyan Embassy to support the students and their families for the coming month.

 Dr Emerson said the Government would continue to work with the Libyan authorities to ensure the resumption of funding for the students as soon as possible.

In the meantime, the assistance would allow the students to stay and continue their studies. Authorities and organisations in the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada have also taken steps to ensure funding is available for Libyan students in these respective countries.

"These students have come to Australia to pursue their studies in good faith," Dr Emerson said.

"Many are under significant stress, and in addition to their current financial concerns are extremely worried for the welfare of family members in Libya. We want to do everything we can to ensure that they are able to finish their courses in Australia, and return home to help in the rebuilding of their country," he said.

Senator Evans said that the plight of the students, many of whom are accompanied by their wives, husbands and children, was a humanitarian issue which required immediate financial help. He paid tribute to the support and flexibility that many universities and other education institutions had been providing for Libyan students.

"Universities have demonstrated outstanding humanitarian support for their Libyan students through this difficult and uncertain time," Senator Evans said.

"Their willingness to provide emotional, academic and financial assistance, including deferring tuition fees for their Libyan students, clearly demonstrates the best of Australian compassion and care for international students."

In addition, Universities Australia has coordinated information between government and institutions to progress possible solutions.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has also committed to taking a flexible approach in dealing with students seeking visa renewals.

Students who are concerned about their visa status should contact DIAC on 131 881 to get the best advice for their personal circumstances. A fact sheet for Libyan students is available on the DIAC website.