The Education Ministry data submitted in the Parliament on February 6, 2022, shows that the number of Indian students studying abroad has reached a six-year high in 2022 with 750,365 students.
Junior Education Minister Subhash Sarkar responded to the query made by fellow Lok Sabha members who wanted to know about the increasing number of Indian students choosing to study abroad. The minister provided this data in a written response.
The data showed that there has been a 68% rise in the number of students in comparison to 444,553 students in 2021. The number of students going to study abroad was 454,009 in 2017, 517,998 in 2018 and 586,337 in 2019. However, 2020 saw a dip in this number with the Covid-19 pandemic disrupting the international education sector. The number declined to 259,655.
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The data does not predict the category of students going abroad to study. Sarkar clarified that the Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs is in charge of maintaining the departure and arrival data of Indians. The purpose of Indians going abroad for education purposes is gauged through the type of visa of the destination country produced at the time of clearance or by verbal disclosure.
Sarkar also responded to a query on whether the government is planning to establish a high-standard international university to save the outflow of funds. He said that the University Grants Commission (UGC) has already drafted regulations to facilitate the establishment of campuses of foreign educational institutes in India.
The draft University Grants Commission (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions In India) Regulations, 2023 was put up in the public domain on January 5, 2023, for comments, suggestions and advice from stakeholders and the last date of receiving comments has been extended to February 20, 2023.
UGC Chairperson M Jagdish Kumar said that globally more and more students are migrating for higher education. It is not only valid for Indian students but also stands true for students from other countries. In 2014, there were 200 million students in global higher education and by 2030 the number will double. Among them, Indians will form a significant number. The Indian students will look for the best opportunities in Indian institutes as well as foreign ones.
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Kumar also said that the aim of inviting foreign universities to set up campuses in India is not to discourage or reduce the number of students going abroad. It is their free choice to explore education and job opportunities in a different country. The UGC-regulated foreign university campuses set up in India will provide additional benefits to students who wish to stay in India and still access high-quality education from foreign institutes.
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Source: Hindustan Times
