Australian university denies barring applications from certain Vietnamese localities

By Doan Hung   October 21, 2024 | 11:00 pm PT
Australian university denies barring applications from certain Vietnamese localities
A view of the University of Wollongong in New South Wales, Australia. Photo courtesy of the school
The University of Wollongong (UOW) in New South Wales refuted reports claiming it has stopped accepting applications from specific Vietnamese localities, emphasizing it welcomes students from all parts of Vietnam.

In recent days, certain social media posts alleged that UOW had informed several admissions units in Vietnam that it would no longer accept applications from students in Hai Phong, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh and Hai Duong starting Aug. 15.

The university was also reported to have introduced stricter financial documentation requirements for Vietnamese students, except for those from the three major cities: HCMC, Hanoi and Da Nang.

On Monday, a UOW representative clarified that the university had communicated with its admission partners in September, saying it accepts applications from all Vietnamese localities without restrictions. The representative stated that each application is assessed on an individual basis.

The university said the Australian Department of Home Affairs would maintain policies which aim to ensure that genuine students can study in the country. UOW stated that it follows these guidelines to support students throughout the visa application process.

Currently, UOW and its affiliate, UOW College, host over 1,000 Vietnamese students, the school said.

The university is ranked 162nd globally and 12th in Australia, according to the QS 2024 Global University Rankings.

New South Wales in March started suspending students from Vietnam's central provinces of Quang Binh, Nghe An, Ha Tinh and the northern province of Quang Ninh due to the disappearances of several students.

The Australian state's decision came one month after South Australia halted the reception of applications from students in Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Quang Binh, after at least four students from these provinces went "missing" from December 2023, and evidence suggested that they were not in danger but have abandoned their studies.

 
 
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