A safety net for students abroad

News: Recently, the issue of higher education as under discussion due to evacuation of students from Ukraine.

Before the pandemic, more than 7,50,000 Indian students were studying abroad, spending $24 billion in foreign economies. It is around 1% of India’s GDP. The number is expected to rise to around 1.8 million students, spending nearly $80 billion outside India.

Why Indian students are going abroad for education?

Around half of the population of India is under the age of 25. Thus, demand for quality education is increasing. None of Indian universities come in the world’s top 100. Demand- supply gap of quality education in India is on increase.

What are the challenges facing Indian students in abroad?

Armed conflict: The most recent example is the Ukraine in this category. After Russian invasion of Ukraine, around 20,000 Indian students were stranded.

Crackdown on bogus colleges: In Canada, recently, some colleges were abruptly closed, due to bankruptcy. It led to protest by 1000s of students.

Similar thing happened in UK, when hundreds of ‘bogus’ colleges being closed.

Closure of borders can result in stranded students in or outside the host country. Most recently, borders were closed due to covid pandemic.

A considerable number of students who study abroad are not from wealthy families. They take expensive loans from institutional and non-institutional sources to finance their education. Thus, all these difficulties endanger the future of students.

Why must students studying abroad be supported by the government?

India can be benefitted by Indian students abroad in terms of soft power, knowledge transfer and remittances.

Former External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj referred to Indians abroad as “brand ambassadors”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson call Indians in the U.K. the “living bridge” between both countries.

Achievements of Indians like Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella abroad has increased the country’s goodwill manifolds.

Indian students can significantly contribute to India’s development by transferring advanced knowledge and best practices, if a proper ecosystem is given to them by the government.

What steps can the government take to ensure the welfare of students abroad?

India is currently negotiating many international agreements. These agreements must include some provisions that oblige host countries to ensure the welfare of Indian students during times of crises and contingencies.

Provisions should include a mandatory student insurance scheme as well as the responsibility of foreign countries for the welfare of students in their country. It is possible because higher education is an attractive export for many countries. For example; the U.K. is generating £28.8 billion in revenue from education export.

Source: This post is based on the article “A safety net for students abroad” published in Indian Express on 7^th March 2022.