Centre moots strategy to attract international students to India

The Samikhsya Bureau

NEW DELHI: The  Ministry of Education is deliberating on measures to increase the number of international students coming to India for higher studies.

a review meeting of the Ministry’s Study in India Programme with partner institutions on Friday, Secretary Higher Education Amit Khare said that the criteria for institutions partnering under the programme will soon be revised so that more institutions that have the necessary infrastructure  and academic quality  can join the programme.

He also said that no distinction will be made between private and public institutions in matters of supporting internationalization.

Study in India is a programme of the Govt of India that aims to attract international students to higher education institutions in India . Select 117 institutions are partners under the programme that was launched in 2018.

Around 7500 students from over 50 countries have come to Indian institutions so far under this programme.

The Secretary called upon all partner institutions to set up world class hostels for international students.

There is an urgent requirement of setting up International Students’ Offices in every institution that takes in international students, he emphasized.

The Ministry has also asked institutions that they should consider organizing orientation for international students when they join, as well as orientation for the faculty to sensitize them to  teach using contexts that these students can relate to.

The Ministry has plans to take up the issue of allowing internship for international students with the concerned department of the Government. Many of the partner institutions pointed out that the absence of internship for international students was a big drawback for any programme of higher studies in India.

All institutions have also been asked to activate their Alumni network and use this connect to draw more students to Indian institutions.