Students undeterred by school closures

China has vowed to protect the legal rights of its overseas students, as the fallout from the closure of several Australian schools continues. On Friday, a senior Education Ministry official addressed the case of the shuttered schools, but said the incident was unlikely to dissuade Chinese students from studying abroad in the future.

The official said the schools that closed were not on the official list of institutions recommended by the Education Ministry. He said that enrollment in accredited Australian institutions had not been affected by the case.

The official said that Chinese students are welcomed as an asset by foreign schools for their good basic education, their English proficiency, economic self-sufficiency and solid work ethic.

He added that Chinese students are even more competitive after receiving a higher education abroad.

The building of the bankrupt Meridian  International Hotel School is seen in  central Melbourne November 6, 2009. Australia's image as a top destination  for foreign students suffered another  setback on Friday after four bankrupt  colleges closed, leaving more than  2,000 students stranded. (REUTERS/Mick Tsikas)

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