With 800 public and private universities, more than 4000 colleges and nearly 35 million students, the Indian higher education system is one of the largest education systems in the world. However, when it comes to its position in the global student market, there’s a lot that can be done to increase the number of inbound students in the country.
Study in India Initiative
Having realized the disparity between the outbound and inbound students in the country, in 2018, the Ministry of Human Resource Development, aided by the Ministry of External Affairs, launched the “Study in India” initiative. This was done to boost the number of foreign students in Indian campuses. At present, the international student population is approximately 48,000 which accounts for a mere 1% of the global student mobility. Most of these students hail from Asian and Middle Eastern countries such as Afghanistan, Yemen, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and UAE. There’s also a large population of international students in India from African countries such as Sudan, Somalia, and South Africa.
To give it a push in the right direction, the government stated that in the 2018-19 session, 15,000 seats are on offer with 55% of these seats coming with a fee waiver. By 2023, the government hopes to attract 2,00,000 international students to Indian universities and colleges.
Life for International Students in India
The Indian education system, which was previously focussed on the learning needs within the country, has since evolved to address the learning needs of a diverse group of students with universally recognized courses and quality education.
India has a strong network of universities and colleges that offer a vast array of courses in management, engineering, medicine, science and arts that are globally recognized. Apart from undergraduate and postgraduate courses, students can also select diploma-level courses and online programmes that cater to the growing needs of skill-based and vocational education.
India’s low cost of education coupled with affordable cost of living is a huge draw for international students. Affordable tuition fees, low lodging and food costs make studying in India an reasonable option for most international students. Moreover, deserving foreign students can also apply for various private and government-funded scholarships.
However, what really sets it apart from other countries is India’s rich cultural diversity. There are remarkable things to see and experience in India, from its colorful festivals to the beautiful landscapes. Students have a chance to experience the magnificent architecture, explore mouthwatering cuisines and enjoy the hospitality and warmth of people.
India is growing at an unprecedented pace, economically and technologically. What does this mean for international students? A chance to be a part of historical transformation and gain the perspectives on the forces that are likely to fuel progress as we move into the future.
At Vishwakarma Institute of Technology (VIT), Vishwakarma Institute of Information Technology (VIIT) and Vishwakarma University (VU), and Vishwakarma College of Arts, Commerce and Science (VCACS), we support the Study in India initiative and invite international students. Today, we have more than 500 students from all over the world enrolled in the various Vishwakarma institutes. Students from Afghanistan, Oman, Yemen, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Sudan, Mozambique, Kuwait and Iran make up a large part of this diverse international student population who have chosen the country as their preferred higher education destination.
Vishwakarma International 