By Dr Anjali Sharma : Education is a backbone of a society and civilization. Good education is for the betterment of individual as well as to society at large. In Indian context the scenario of Higher Education is some what different. There is something wrong with the domestic higher educational system that it is forcing the students to fulfill the wish to study abroad. As per recent survey of IIM Bangalore there has been unprecedented rise in the Indian students choosing to pursue higher education abroad since the year 2000. there destination for a better tomorrow has changed. Earlier for Higher studied students were willing for only three countries United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK) and Australia as they have better immigration policies, better teaching and research environment as well suitable fees structure. Now there is systematic change in the trend. The same type of good teaching and learning atmosphere can also be obtained at Universities at France, New Zealand, Singapore, China and Canada. As per survey report as many as 250% plus rise has been observed among Indian students willing to study abroad.
France is hot among students willing to pursue higher education. As per data released in 2011 about 3000 students got enrolled in various French Universities in the field of MBA, Fine Arts, Fashion, Wine and Food. For a designer or an Artist there is no better option than France as their society lives, breathe and resonates Arts and Fashion. Above all good food and medical care are additional benefits. The same has also been boosted by awarding about 10% scholarships to Indian students which is about 300 in number. The best factor in France is there is completely transparent and porous line between academics and mainstream life. The higher education system is more composite and less monastic besides lower tuition fees than USA & UK.
China is a unique country of 56 different ethnicities each with different customs. The amount of Research that comes out of Chinese Universities is very pretty. Peking University and University of Hong Kong imparts quality education in the field of Medicine, Engineering and Business Education. Numbers of foreign student are increasing there at the rate of 20% per annum. Singapore education system gives students opportunity to enhance their leadership quality and prepares them for real world. Good quality of Finance, Management, Business Administration, Accountancy, Law and Economics are taught. Singapore has a cosmopolitan nature and a great place to live in. Being Asian county Indian students adapt easily to the environment. In New Zealand education is holistic. Everyone is free spirited and people just let you make your own decisions.
The above factors are compelling Indian students to seek better option abroad. It is high time that Governments, both at Centre as well as in States, should pay high attention in the arena of higher education to retain quality of students. Although higher education abroad is not so cheap besides tough social & cultural environment and language barriers in comparison to domestic higher education yet Indian students are running for it. Here in the higher education, both at the entry as well as exit levels, good colorful dream is always at a distance due to Reservation of seats in higher education, Politics, irrational educational policies, favoritism and problem of genuine facilities to students and poor Research Structure and programme. This menace in Indian higher Education be curbed with sound education policies and properly dealt with, in the future interest of nation and society.