Luring Indian learners
S.C. Dhall

The lure of overseas education for Indian students appears to be undented by either higher costs or more difficult entry rules. On the contrary, the growth in disposable income, easier availability of bank loans and more importantly , the desire of youngsters as well their parents to give their children that “extra edge” over fellow students is driving the numbers up, year after year.

Going by the initial response, the trend — June to October — continues in the same direction with the US expectedly taking a higher share of the student traffic, followed by the UK and then by Australia, Candada, New Zealand etc.

The US continues to receive the largest number of Indian students every year, but the growth in the number of Indian students pursuing higher studies in the universities and colleges of Australia has been the fastest among all countries.

A study reveals that there has been a decline of 28 per cent in graduate applications and above 18 per cent in international graduate admissions. For the US, it is not a happy situation. Financial repercussions are part of the worry.

Australia has launched aggressive measures to increase its student enrollment from contries like India and China. Education is US doller 6 billion industry in Australia, while it is $ 13 billion for the US economy.

To attract more students from India, Australia is taking several steps like holding road shows to admit students on the spot, increasing scholarships and opening more representative offices in India. The country also sees India as an income generator because of the large number of students in India. According to a report, the number of student visas issued to Indian students, which was 275 around a decade earlier, has grown up to over 21,000 annually. This year, the number is likely to cross 25000. Earlier, 80 per cent students used to stay back in Australia. Now, about 60 per cent stay back.

Australian universities are also creating more specialised courses that are more suited to Indian industries.

In a bid to strengthen its education links with India , the New Zealand Government has decided to formulate an education strategy. It has for the first time appointed a South Asia Education counsellor. Till 2005, there were around 2100 students in New Zealand and it is likely to go up to 4500 in 2007, with the total annual fee income being over US $ 30 million.

Singapore is also all set to tap the Indian education market by aggressively promoting the Indian chapter of the alumni of the National University of Singapore.

About 95 per cent of the students who plan to study abroad are not in a hurry to return. They have long-term plans which might lead to permanent settlement or at least include work experience of some years before returning.

In fact, the trend for education abroad is on the rise.

Aiming at better foreign placement and international rankings, Indian B schools too are racing for international partnerships.

For instance, the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade has had three international academic tie-ups, while the IMT-Ghaziabad has entered six collaborations.

A report from the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration India, says that 31 UK universities, 18 institutions from the US and two from Australia six from France and four from Canada had joined hands with Indian universities and colleges across the country last year.