KATHMANDU, Feb 26: After the Australian Skills Quality Authority cancelled the registration of Australia Institute of Business and Technology (AIBT), there are concerns about what happens to AIBT’s current and alumni students. Pratik Rimal spoke to AIBT’s company director Fiona Kee via email. Excerpts:
AIBT plans to stay ASQA's decision. If the decision is not put on hold, how does it affect the students? (Could you share the current status?)
AIBT has already appealed to the Australian administrative Tribunal (AAT) about ASQA’s decision on AIBT. We are certain that the decision is incorrect and are very confident that we will overcome the hurdle.
Meanwhile, AIBT has already applied for a stay in ASQA’s decision. We expect the decision to be released this week. It is highly unlikely that the stay will not be granted. If the stay is not granted, AIBT will be responsible for transferring our current students to other providers as per conditions mandated by Australia’s Tuition Protection Scheme (TPS).
Fiona Kee, Company Director, AIBT
However, students will only be entitled to the privilege if they continue to stay enrolled and continue to meet their obligations with AIBT until such time the stay decision cannot be granted.
If the stay decision is granted, AIBT remains 100% operational until the AAT result is released, which is anticipated to be usually between 9-18 months.
Could you share the number of international students, including those from Nepal?
Under AIBT, we have over 2000 students, approximately 50% are from Nepal.
Nepali students among those affected as Australia's Skills Qual...
(Read: Nepali students affected as Australia's Skills Quality Authority cancels AIBT's registration)
Will students get credit for the course that they take?
Yes, definitely, as long as all students remain enrolled, attend classes and meet their obligations. AIBT is a responsible provider, we will issue transcripts, statement of attainments and certificates (if applicable) as long as students have completed and been deemed competent in their assessments.
I urge all students to remain enrolled and attend classes. There is no point changing providers now as most of the students will find that there is going to be a higher financial impact.
Will the degree be accepted if AIBT's appeal is cancelled?
Our certifications will not be impacted as the decision of AAT is not related to the validity of their diplomas.
Can current and past students show their certificates to get enrolment in other universities?
As above, there is no impact on the validity of their certifications, hence there is no impact to them using our certificates to apply for universities.
Did AIBT expect this decision from ASQA? ASQA says that AIBT didn’t meet the required standards? (Could you elaborate more about the standard AIBT maintained or had lapses; and why?)
We did not at all expect the result from ASQA. We wish to discuss in further details once we have more information about our Stay application.
The Australian Embassy in Nepal has urged students to stay enrolled to maintain student visa requirements. However, students apparently have questioned the rationale of staying enrolled if AIBT's appeal to stay ASQA's decision looks grim. What should be done?
The embassy is right. As mentioned, everything will be very clear once the stay result is released this week or early next week. I urge all students to remain enrolled and attend classes. There is no point changing providers now as most of the students will find that there is going to be a higher financial impact. The stay decision is not too long away, and the best rationale is to remain calm and stay enrolled so that all entitlements will still be provided to the students.
Is the Diploma of Nursing (HLT54115) a Nationally Recognised Qualification?
Yes. The Diploma of Nursing (HLT54115) is a Nationally Recognised Qualification. Other Education providers are required to recognise the qualification.
Once completing a Diploma of Nursing, what will a student’s qualification be?
An Enrolled Nurse. In order for students to be able to work as an Endorsed Enrolled Nurse, they must complete an accredited program with the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC).
Our Diploma of Nursing qualification is not accredited with the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) and is currently only accredited with the Australian Skill Quality Authority (ASQA). Therefore, students who complete this qualification will not be able to work as an Endorsed Enrolled Nurse (EEN) in Australia.
Students completing this course may be able to work as an Assistant Nurse as the discretion of their employer.
When will AIBT be registered with ANMAC?
We are in discussions with ANMAC and we are in the process of finalising our ANMAC registration.
Do students need to be registered in order to practice as an enrolled nurse in Australia?
Yes. Once students receive accreditation through The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC), they will be required to be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, (NMBA) and meet their professional standards, in order to practice in Australia. A graduate from a Diploma of Nursing program approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) is able to apply for registration with the NMBA as an enrolled nurse. Further information on registration is available at www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au
Does AIBT/AIBT-I need to be registered with ANMAC in order for students to enter into a Bachelor of Nursing?
No
Can students continue their studies into a bachelor level after completing a Diploma of Nursing with AIBT/AIBT-I?
Yes.
