KATHMANDU: The Australian Embassy in Nepal has suggested the students studying at the Australia Institute of Business and Technology (AIBT) to continue to attend class and remain enrolled at the college until it stops operating.

Issuing a statement here today, the Embassy has advised that students studying with AIBT should remain enrolled and continue to attend classes. “This is to ensure that the conditions of their visa are met and their recourse to the Tuition Protection Service is assured should the provider cease delivering its courses,” it said.

According to the Australian Embassy in Kathmandu, Australia’s Department of Home Affairs would also allow a grace period of at least 28 days and up to three months for students to transfer to alternate providers before it would consider visa cancellation.

The statement also maintained that if the AIBT does stop operating, the college would be responsible to find students an alternative course or pay them a refund of their unspent tuition fees.

According to the Australian Embassy in Kathmandu, Australia’s Department of Home Affairs would also allow a grace period of at least 28 days and up to three months for students to transfer to alternate providers before it would consider visa cancellation.

The Brighton Pacific Ltd Pty, the statement said, can seek to have ASQA’s cancellation decision stayed while the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) determines the review. Brighton Pacific Pty Ltd’s registration was cancelled by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) on February 19.

“Unless Brighton Pacific Pty Ltd seeks a review and is granted a stay of ASQA’s decision, the cancellation decision will take effect from 26 March 2019,” the statement said adding that until the review is determined, the institute is permitted to continue operating, including conducting classes.