Big Little Penguin Parade

0 Comments read Travel
Fairy or Little Penguins in Phillip Island, Victoria. Photo Credit: © Neena Bhandari

By Neena Bhandari

Phillip Island (Victoria, Australia), 12.09.2008 (The Hindu Businessline): As the sun set on a balmy summer day, we made our way with hundreds of other tourists to the tiered stands on the Summerland Beach on Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia. There was excitement in the air as we walked to keep our date with the `Little Penguins’.

Patiently and silently, we waited for dusk to give way to darkness. Suddenly fingers were pointing to a mass of black in the distant shallow waters. No sooner had it appeared than it vanished into the vast expanse of the ocean. Probably a raft of penguins had sensed predators and retreated.

Continue reading →

First ever Islamic Banking and Finance course at La Trobe

0 Comments read Education

By Neena Bhandari

Melbourne, 27.08.2008 (IANS): The first ever Islamic Banking and Finance Master’s course to be offered by La Trobe University in Australia has at least some overseas Indian students excited about future prospects in this fast-growing segment of global finance.

“I am very excited that the university will be offering a course in Islamic Banking and Finance (IBF). By learning about Islamic commercial laws, I can help people of my community in their development”, Mohammed Rizwanuddin from Hyderabad, who is nearing completion of a two-year Master of Professional Accounting at La Trobe University, told IANS.

“As the concept of `interest’ is considered `haram’ in Islam, there are many Muslims who need financial support for their progress. I feel that Islamic commercial law can overcome this problem”, adds Rizwanuddin, who would like to return to India and help his community despite good job prospects in Australia and the Middle East.

Continue reading →

Indians are second largest group of skilled migrants in Australia

0 Comments read Diaspora, Migration

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 22.07.2008 (IANS): Indians have become the second largest group of skilled migrants arriving on Australian shores under the temporary skilled migration programme during 2007-2008, according to new data released Tuesday by Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Chris Evans.

While almost a quarter of the temporary workers came from the UK, India came second with 14 percent followed by the Philippines at nine percent and South Africa at six percent.

To meet the severe national skills shortages, especially in professional occupations and highly skilled jobs, as many as 110,570 visas were granted under the temporary skilled migration programme last year, a 27 percent increase on the previous year’s 87,310.

Continue reading →