Increase understanding of Asia

Threats to close down Indonesian and Thai language and culture courses at Sydney University reflect the Federal Government's short-sighted approach to tertiary education at its very worst.

Federal government elitism and commercialism appear to be the principal causes of the university's contraction of Asian language and culture teaching.

The thrust of Minister Brendan Nelson's policy is to concentrate all Asian language teaching in Canberra as such education would apparently only be useful for diplomats, the police and security agencies.

How absurd.

The corporate sector equally has lost interest in Asian language teaching.

For example, the number of English-speaking Indonesians is increasing and business executives' claim to get by without such skills.

This regressive trend is deplorable and deeply disturbing.

Common sense suggests that all levels and sections of Australian society should increase their understanding of Asian countries' cultures, histories, religions and languages.

Discouraging universities to embrace these fields, in turn, discourages secondary education to maintain their Asian programs.

It is hard to think of anything more senseless than this policy.

Australia's security situation, cultural enrichment and trading relationships can only be greatly enhanced by expanding our learning about Australia's Asian neighbours.

Klaas Woldring, Pearl Beach