CODE OF ETHICAL PRACTICES FOR MEMBERS OF ASSOCIATION OF LICENSED IMMIGRATION EDUCATION CONSULTANTS

AS MEMBERS OF ALIEC,

WE, WILL:

PREAMBLE: REPRESENTING QUALITY EDUCATION AND ETHICAL IMMIGRATION PRCTICES

1. ABIDE BY THE PUNJAB TRAVEL PROFESSIONALS’ REGULATION ACT,2014 (refer to Notes for (1.))

2. PROVIDE ACCURATE AND REALISTIC COUNSELLING TO PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS WHO HAVE SELECTED FOREIGN COUNTRIES AS THE POTENTIAL STUDY DESTINATION. (refer to Notes for (2.))

3. DISSEMINATE AUTHENTIC INFORMATION ON:

• THE TOTALITY OF FINANCES REQUIRED FOR STUDY IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY, I.E., TUITION FEES, LIVING COSTS, TRANSPORT, BOOK AND EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS AND COSTS OF USING OTHER FACILITIES SUCH AS COMPUTERS MEDICAL ETC, (refer to Notes for (3.) paragraph 1.
• ABILITY TO, AND THE AVAILABILITY OF WORK, I.E. WORKING A MAXIMUM OF 20 HRS/WEEK DURING THEIR STUDY PERIOD AND FULL TIME OVER THE LONG BREAKS, WORK MAY BE DIFFICULT TO SECURE AND CANNOT BE GUARANTEED. (refer to Notes for (3.) paragraph 2.)

 

4. PROVIDE UPDATED INFORMATION ON INSTITUTIONS REPRESENTED BY US COVERING ISSUES SUCH AS ACADEMIC MATTERS, LIVING ARRANGEMENTS, LEGAL REQUIREMENTS AND ENTITLEMENT, FEES AND REFUND POLICIES AND SUPPORT SERVICES AS PER DETAILS COVERED IN ANNEXURE I TO AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSION / AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION'S BOOKLET, 'CODE OF ETHICAL PRACTICE FOR AGENTS/REPRESENTATIVES OF AUSTRALIAN EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN INDIA'. (COPY AVAILABLE IN OUR OFFICE.) (refer to Notes for (4.) Annexure 1.)

5. DISPLAY CLEARLY FOR APPRAISAL BY PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS AND PARENTS, OUR COMPANY'S "REFUND POLICY" AND "SERVICE FEES". THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE, WITH A BREAKDOWN OF CHARGES WHICH WILL BE LEVIED FOR SPECIFIED FUNCTIONS PERFORMED SUCH AS COUNSELLING AND PROCESSING APPLICATIONS, WILL BE DETAILED IN A CONTRACT TO BE SIGNED WITH THE STUDENT AND OUR COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE AT THE TIME OF THE PAYMENT OF THE FEE. PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS WILL ALSO NOT BE CHARGED FOR PUBLICITY LITERATURE PROVIDED FREE BY INSTITUTIONS. (refer to Notes for (5.) Schedule of Fees)

6. NOT STATE THAT IT IS MANDATORY FOR A STUDENT TO UTILIZE AN AGENT'S / REPRESENTATIVE'S SERVICES OTHER THAN STUDY COUNSELLING AND PLACEMENT E.G. MAKING TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS OR MIGRATION ADVICE ETC UNLESS THEY ARE PROVIDED AS A COMPONENT OF THE "SERVICE FEE". (refer to Notes for (6.))

7. RESTRICT ADVERTISEMENTS TO INSTITUTIONS FOR WHICH WE HAVE DUE ACCREDITATION AND ALSO NOT MAKE ANY STATEMENTS THAT ARE MISLEADING, OPEN TO MISINTERPRETATION OR NOT TRUE. IE INFERRING THAT WE HAVE A SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH THE IMMIGRATION SECTION OF ANY EMBASSY OR HIGH COMMISSION THAT WILL ENABLE US TO FACILITATE OR GUARANTEE THE ISSUING OF A VISA. (refer to Notes for (7.))

8. SERVE WITH HONESTY AND INTEGRITY THE INSTITUTIONS WE REPRESENT AND ALSO ENSURE THAT WE WILL:

• NOT DENIGRATE OTHER INSTITUTIONS OR THE COURSES THEY OFFER,
• NOT OVERTLY OR COVERTLY DISSUADE PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS FROM UNDERTAKING COURSES OR ENROLLING IN AN INSTITUTION, IN FAVOR OF THE INSTITUTION(S) THAT WE REPRESENT, AND
• PROVIDE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE TO PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS TO PROTECT OUR INTEREST AND THE INTEREST OF THE FORIGN COUNTRY AND IT’S EDUCATION.
• SERVE WITH HONESTY AND INTEGRITY THE INSTITUTION WE REPRESENT AND THE STUDENTS WE COUNSEL. (refer to Notes for (8.) )

Notes for (1.)

The ETHICAL CODE OF CONDUCT OF OUR ASSOCIATION has been created to ensure that overseas students receive a high standard of education and training Abroad.

We will ensure a high quality of services by offering courses of a high standard and provide overseas students with the education and training they pay for.

b) The prospective student will be offered education and training services that is true and in the best interest and capabilities of the student. (i) student recruitment and placement in a course shall emphasise the student’s ability to undertake the course.
 

Notes for (2.)

Agents shall provide accurate and realistic counselling in order to comply with educational, cultural and economic objectives. Agents/representatives shall be sensitive to the cultural and political background of the student and be aware of their historical, political background and education systems. Agents/representatives shall be knowledgeable, experienced and competent in the administration of student policy and in personal dealings with students.

Institutions are to be promoted accurately in terms of an institution’s quality of education and availability of places of a course. Students should be informed of selection criteria in order to help predict success rate and maintain the institutions academic standard.

Notes for (3.) paragraph 1.

It should be noted that costs for books and equipment requirements differ from course to course some of which are very expensive and expected to be borne by the student. All students must pay an amenities and services type fee. The fee differs from institution to institution in cost and what is covered by the fee. Examples of what is covered by the fee include usage of cafeteria, student discounts for social activities conducted by the university. However, some services may or may not be covered. For example, in some institutions the amenities and services fee covers computer usage, including access to internet. Printing paper for computers may also be an additional cost as most institutions insist that assignments should be computer or typewriter generated. However, this is not always the case and students should discuss this with the agent/representative. Photocopying costs should also be taken into consideration.

Notes for (3.) paragraph 2.

Students can find help in acquiring employment at the Student Employment Office (SEO) offered by some institutions as a part of student services. Alternatively, students can look for employment in the classified section of a local newspaper. It should be noted that office work is difficult to find and therefore the most common employment for students is in the food and hospitality and retail industries. Wages are dependent on the age of the person and type of work one obtains. Discrimination on the basis of race, gender, creed, religion or disability is illegal in most of the countries.

Notes for (4.) 4

Annexure 1.

1. Academic concerns

• The prospective student should be made aware of an institution'seducational objectives and current activities;
• courses offered, course summaries for the degrees, diplomas and certificates offered and duration of a course. In brief for example, colleges offer diplomas, associate diplomas and advanced certificates. Universities offer degrees and diploma;
• assessment requirements, including attendance obligations;
• admission prerequisites, application and acceptance procedures;
• credit transfer procedures; (Note: credit transfers are NOT automatic and must be negotiated with the individual institution. Students should also note that it is difficult to successfully transfer credits, for partly completed courses, into a foreign institution)
• English language requirement like IELTS, PTE; Students should note that if their English does not meet up to an institutionstandards they may be obligated to take a pre-tertiary English course before beginning their studies in foreign land.
• relevant dates such as academic terms, semester registration, dates for withdrawal without financial or course penalty and tutorial registration.

2. Living Arrangements

• geographical location and climate;
• accommodation options: these include university residences/colleges, renting a room or sharing a house/flat/townhouse with other students. Students should note that placement in a university residence/college is not automatic and is very expensive. Students are obliged to pay for residence accommodation in full per semester. Generally city accommodation is more expensive than in smaller centres and country areas.
• living costs; If a student lives a considerable distance away from an institution, they should explore the option of public transport as a means of transport to and from the institution. In most capital cities, public transport is of a high standard and fares are at a concessional rate (in some states) for overseas students. Alternatively, student may choose to invest in buying a car. Before purchasing a car, students must ensure they have a valid international drivers licence issued from their country of origin. Students should be aware of the high cost of registration and state legislation of a car's "road-worthiness". Also, students should note the parking arrangements of an institution as many institutions charge a semester/yearly fee for parking.
• social customs and norms; there are no dress codes at most institutions, however most students wear casual clothes such as jeans, t-shirts, sneakers, etc

3. Legal Requirements and Entitlements

• conditions of entry and stay as a foreign student Abroad. Students should familiarise themselves with the legislation governing the stay of foreign student in that particular country.
• employment regulations: students should note that they are allowed a maximum of 20 hours of work per week during when school is in session and full time work during vacation. The spouse of a student may work more than 20 hours per week, i.e., full time.
• mandatory health-care insurance and health-care arrangements.

4. Fees and Refunds

• costs of courses and other compulsory charges; including an amenities and services fee.
• policy on increases to fees;
• procedures for dealing with exceptional cases related to the payment and refund of fees, including death of an immediate family member.
• procedures for cancellation of enrolment and obtaining refund of fees together with details of financial and academic penalties which may result from cancellation.

5. Services

• support services available to all students of the institution;
• support services specific to international students. International students should familiarise themselves with staff and services offered by the international student’s office of an institution;
• grievance procedures available for international students;
• social/sport/academic/religious clubs and societies offered by an institution and clubs/societies offered only to international students;
• transportation services offered by the university for students;

6. Admissions

• Students should become aware of an institution’s selection criteria for admissions, including specific criteria for particular courses and for international students.

Notes for (5.)

Service Fees" have been defined below:

The consultant is obliged to inform student / parents of student / legal guardian of the student about the amount of expenses and the remuneration for consultation charged by us for our services. If the client is in a bad financial condition, the consultants should adjust the remuneration with the financial condition of the client.

 

Notes for (6.)

Students are not obligated to use an agent's/representative's services other than study counselling and placement.

Notes for (7.)

Under no circumstances shall an agency or representative infer a privileged association with any Embassy or High Commission in any of its advertising or counselling. Agencies or representatives are in no way able to guarantee the issuing of a visa and may not infer such a service.

Notes for (8.)

Agents must be competent, well informed, reputable and act in the best interest of the applicant and the institution

STUDENTS SHOULD REPORT ANY BREACHING OF THE CODE OF ETHICS AS STATED ABOVE TO THE STUDENT SECTION OF THE ASSOCIATION OF LICENSED IMMIGRATION AND EDUCATION CONSULTANTS (ALIEC).