Low cost, safety behind Kashmiris choosing Iran for studies

As the Centre launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran following the Israel-Iran conflict, a large number of those who have been evacuated are students from Kashmir who mostly pursue MBBS studies in Iran.

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According to Srinagar-based educational consultancy firms, Iran has become a popular destination for students from Jammu and Kashmir in the past few years with hundreds currently pursuing education there.

They cite several reasons why Iran has become a new choice for Kashmir students, which earlier was mostly Bangladesh and even Pakistan.

Feroz Abbas from Srinagar-based Al Qaim Education firm said cheaper study cost, safer environment and low cost of living are some of the reasons behind the new trend. “Cost-wise, it is very much affordable. The package of a complete MBBS degree starts from Rs 17 lakh and it goes up to Rs 30 lakh,” he said.

In India, studying MBBS is too costly and costs up to Rs 1 crore in a private institute, he said. Abbas said that the universities in Iran are globally renowned in the field of medical studies.

Another reason, he said, was the cost of living. “Culture similarities are also there. Parents feel safe to send their children to Iran because it is a safer place for women as well. This is why we especially see girls from Kashmir choosing Iran for their studies,” he said.

Many universities in Iran even offer scholarships for meritorious students. “Every year, we send some 70-80 students to Iran and it has become a number one destination for the Kashmiri students. Someone who has very good merit gets a scholarship up to 50 per cent as well,” he said.

Another Valley-based educational consultant said in Iran, teaching is on a par with the Western countries or the topmost institute in India like AIIMS etc. “So, a student gets world-class education in Iran,” he said, adding that 90 per cent of students who go to Iran pursue MBBS courses only.

According to the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, 1,500 students from Kashmir are currently enrolled in Iran. A student who is pursuing MBBS from Tehran University of Medical Science said that she chose the country because it was the best option available for a medical degree.

“I had initially checked Bangladesh, but the cost was over Rs 40 lakh. Iran was the best option at around Rs 20 lakh. And it is safe as well,” the student told The Tribune.

Nisar Ahmad, a parent from Srinagar, said he sent his son to Iran for studies because of the safe conditions. “Other than the present war, Iran has remained safe…safety and budget were the prime reasons for selecting Iran,” he said, adding that he didn’t choose countries like Bangladesh because of higher education costs.

Wajahat Shafi of a Valley-based consultancy firm said that earlier, students used to travel to Bangladesh for MBBS. He said during the past few years, the trend changed. Because of the lowest MBBS packages, parents prefer to send children to Iran. He said apart from Iran, students also choose central Asian countries for their students. “But overall, if we compare the total packages of all these countries, Iran is the cheapest one…so parents mostly choose Iran for their children’s studies,” he said.