INDIA - THE GLOBAL EDUCATION HUB

If anyone was to ask, "What is India's greatest asset?" The facts would prove, that it was it's large pool of educated, English - speaking people, and trained professionals. They have today made India a major exporter of software as well as financial, research, and technological services and an important outsourcing destination for multinational corporations, besides also transforming it into a popular destination for medical tourism.

The solid educational foundation provided by Indian institutions, has enabled the country's youth to become a valuable resource and today, the same institutions are attracting foreign students as well. Thus, with each passing year, more and more students are coming to India from countries like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Ethiopia, Fiji, France, Germany, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Surinam, Syria, Thailand, UK, US, Vietnam and Zimbabwe etc. for their higher studies.

Moreover, the world's second most culturally, linguistically and genetically diverse geographical entity after the African continent, India is a country that is beautiful, multicultural and economically resilient despite world recession, multilingual, secular and above all welcoming!

POINTERS THAT MAKE INDIAN INSTITUTIONS EDUCATIONAL GOLDMINES

• They provide a sound and practical educational foundation.
• They provide quality and good value for money.
• The higher educational institutions provide a wide variety of courses.
• They offer a multi cultural environment, with English as the medium of instruction.
• They feature among the world's well - renowned, International league tables among the top 100 best institutions in the world. Among such institutions are India's IITs, IISc, IIMs, AIIMS, ISI, NITs, BIT's, TIFR and ISB and The National Law School of India University.

In the International League Table produced by London - based Times Higher Education Supplement (THES) in 2006, India's Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)'s was placed among the world's top 200 universities and JNU's School of Social Sciences was placed at the 57th position among the world's top 100 institutes for social sciences.

RUDIMENTS OF INDIAN EDUCATIONAL SCHOLASTIC SYSTEM

India has a very strong network of public and private schools. The scholastic system functions as follows: -

• Primary School includes class I to V comprising children aged six to eleven.
• Secondary School includes classes VI to X comprising pupils aged eleven to sixteen, and
• Higher Secondary School includes classes XI & XII comprising students ages 17 to 18

India offers a variety of choices in terms of schools, from residential schools, day schools, public and private schools, with varied board affiliations. These range from: -

State government boards like SSLC, to which a majority of Indian schools are affiliated.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE),
The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE),
National Open School and International schools

IMAGE OF 'INDIAN EDUCATION' ABROAD

An IANS report dated 20 December 2008, uses statistics provided by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), to state that 'while students especially in Asian countries often pay through their nose to study abroad, more and more smart students from across the world are filling university seats in India for "cheap, professional and internationally ranked" Indian education. The ICCR puts the figure of foreign students visiting the country at an average of 3,500. They state that these students come to pursue educational programs from over 70 countries, every year.

INDIAN EDUCATION HAS A PLETHORA OF OTHER ADVANTAGES AS WELL!

1. Powerful Education Network - India has the second largest higher education facilities in the world with an extremely strong network of public and private schools, with Indian and international board affiliations. Adding to it, the country has a gigantic university network comprising over 310 Universities and 15,500 Colleges.

2. Global Recognition - Indian universities and institutes of higher education and research have been applauded and recognized world over for the significant contribution made in research and development in arenas, ranging from information technology, biotechnology, space technology, to development of nuclear energy.

3. English Is the Link Language - India is the 3rd largest English speaking population in the world and hence it is a place where foreign nationals feel at home. Every Indian university has English as the medium of instruction, which also minimizes chances of miscommunication.

4. Emphasis Laid on Quality Standards & Holistic Learning - Quality is an important criterion in India and Indian schools, universities and institutions maintain a high standard of education, as required by the national level statutory bodies established by the Government of India. The teaching methodology examined and reviewed from time to time, aims at holistic development and includes seminars, conferences, informal discussions, research studies and public debate.

5. Worldwide recognition of Indian Degrees - The courses as well as professionals trained in Indian educational institutions are recognized the world over - 200 of the Fortune 500 companies regularly participate in campus placements in Indian institutions. So much so that "Jack Welch, Ex - CEO General Electric had stated, "The real treasure of India is its intellectual capital. The real opportunity is its incredibly skilled work force. Raw talent is here like nowhere else in the world."

6. The Enriching & Welcoming Indian Experience - India is a country rich in cultural heritage, having a multi religious, multilingual and cosmopolitan environment. Hence there is easy acceptance of all cultures here, and makes the country a friendly one. Students love and enjoy their stay here more because, the people of India are also very warm and hospitable to foreigners.

ANSWERS TO FAQ'S ASKED BY FOREIGN STUDENTS

1. What is the criterion for pursuing higher studies in India?

The interested candidate targeting undergraduate programs, must possess a Senior Secondary / or any other examination certificate, that is equivalent to 12 years of schooling in India. He/she must also have sufficient knowledge of English. For entry into Diploma programs, he/she will require 10 years of schooling. Admission to postgraduate courses requires an undergraduate degree in an appropriate discipline.

2. Is GRE, GMAT, TOEFL or IELTS a pre - requisite for admission to Indian institutions?

No. Indian Universities do not insist for the above scores. However, since the academic programmes are taught in English, proficiency in English is a must. One should have studied for qualifying examination in English or English should have been one of the subjects.

3. In India when does the Indian Academic Year commence?

The academic year in India usually commences in the month of July. However, some institutions have the academic year beginning in August/September.

4. How expensive is it living in India?

Living expenses are minimal in India. You can live comfortably within US$ 100 - 150 a month to cover food and other expenses. (Source: Ed.CIL website)

5. What is the procedure involved in coming to India for higher education?

For coming to India for higher education, you would require a student Visa. To get this, you need to produce a confirmed letter of admission from the Indian University or institution, at the Indian diplomatic mission in your country.