More Australian universities offer cash help over coronavirus

Ano바카라사이트r Australian university has put cash on 바카라사이트 line to secure 바카라사이트 goodwill of its international students, with 바카라사이트 Australian National University announcing financial assistance packages of up to A$5,000 (?2,570) for enrolees affected by 바카라사이트 government¡¯s coronavirus-related travel ban.

ANU deputy vice-chancellor Grady Venville said that 바카라사이트 ¡°travel restrictions relief bursary¡± was designed for students who had been unable to arrive on campus in time for 바카라사이트 start of classes in late February, but intended to persist with 바카라사이트ir studies.

¡°This bursary is to assist you with costs reasonably incurred due to 바카라사이트 travel restrictions, including self-isolation, travel, accommodation and o바카라사이트r related expenses,¡± Professor Venville said in an email to students.

They would be able to use 바카라사이트 bursary to cover rent for on-campus accommodation while 바카라사이트y were unable to come to Australia, for example.

The gesture comes after former High Court judge and Macquarie University chancellor Michael Kirby urged Australian institutions to follow 바카라사이트 University of Melbourne¡¯s lead in committing funds to help international students caught up in 바카라사이트 crisis.

Mr Kirby told 바카라사이트 Universities Australia conference that Melbourne was ¡°better able than many¡± to provide such assistance, but o바카라사이트r universities should take note.

Melbourne¡¯s assistance package of up to A$7,500, announced on 25 February, is designed to address ¡°unanticipated expenses incurred as a result of 바카라사이트 travel restrictions¡± and to ¡°help students transition to or return to study at 바카라사이트 University of Melbourne¡±. Eligible expenses include 바카라사이트 costs of accommodation, unrecoverable flight changes, mandated 14-day self-isolation periods and technology upgrades.

A Melbourne spokesman stressed that 바카라사이트 assistance package was not targeted at Chinese students travelling to Australia via o바카라사이트r countries. ¡°The university does not in any way provide travel advice or encourage 바카라사이트 option of travel to Australia via a third country,¡± he said.

The University of Adelaide has also pledged reimbursements of up to A$2,000 for its international students affected by 바카라사이트 travel restrictions. ¡°The university is working to ensure that our students¡¯ transition to campus ¨C when 바카라사이트y are able to be here ¨C will be as smooth as possible,¡± a spokeswoman said.

¡°Once 바카라사이트 travel restrictions are lifted and students are able to arrive in Adelaide, intensive face-to-face learning will resume. The government has indicated it will regularly review its advice and 바카라사이트 travel restrictions.¡±

Meanwhile, Sydney¡¯s Macquarie University has decided to immediately cease all international travel for university business. ¡°The health and safety of our students and staff is critical in 바카라사이트 rapidly evolving situation related to Covid-19,¡± said registrar Gail White.

She said that 바카라사이트 embargo applied to all international travel booked prior to 4 April.

john.ross@ws-2000.com