UGC: Nearly eight out of 10 Indians prefer to study abroad, claims report

Indian campuses of foreign universities: The University Grants Commission (UGC) unveiled draft norms for the first time to allow foreign universities to set up campuses in India with autonomy to decide the admission process and fee structure. According to subject experts and students, Indian campuses of foreign universities may not be the preferred choice for many, especially those who see a foreign degree as a stepping stone to living in another country.

Many subject experts and students who wish to study abroad believe that studying in a foreign university is more than just earning an international degree. He said “More and more students go abroad because studying abroad gives them job opportunities to settle in those countries. Whereas here this is not the case. Went to the USA this year to pursue a degree.

Sharan Banerjee, a Ph.D. scholar at Cornell University's SC John School of Business, believes the value of these foreign universities often lies in the community you find on campus. "Permission to set up campuses may not replicate the same success story or may be less attractive in terms of price or degree and rigor, among other things," he added.

According to Rajesh Jha, a professor at Delhi University, the main attraction of a university is the main campus everywhere. Secondly, over time educational institutions develop with strong roots in the local social and cultural milieu, he told PTI.

According to a recent survey conducted by the INTO University Partnership, almost eight out of 10 Indian students (76 percent) want to study abroad and plan to work and settle abroad after completing their international degree. Similarly, a report on international migration patterns by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) recently pointed out that Indians studying in economically developed countries stay back in their host country and join the local workforce. Most likely.

However, UGC chairman M Jagadesh Kumar has a different opinion on this. Indian students who want to study abroad will number more than one million shortly. He added, "Other students who are not planning to immigrate may select to study at FHEI's campuses in India. Therefore, both categories of students will continue to make their choices and I do not see any problem with that." As per the norms, foreign universities with campuses in the country can offer full-time programs only in offline mode and not online or distance education. Foreign Higher Education Institutions (FHEIs) will need permission from the UGC to set up their campuses in India.

According to the data shared by the Union Education Department in Parliament, in 2022 more than 6.5 lakh Indian students went abroad to pursue higher education. The number of students going to study abroad increased from 4.54 lakh in 2017 to 5.86 lakh in 2019. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number fell by half to 2.59 lakh in 2020. In 2021, 4.4 lakh students of higher education went abroad. These data showed that the majority of the Indian students preferred Canada, the USA, and the UK for pursuing degree courses.

Also Read: UGC: Foreign universities are not allowed to offer full time courses in online mode, UGC directs