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News18
5 days ago
- Business
- News18
Significant increase in investment in Bengals education sector: Official
Kolkata, Jul 18 (PTI) The West Bengal government has significantly increased investment in education infrastructure at both the primary and higher education levels, a senior education department official said on Friday. Principal Secretary, School & Higher Education Department, Binod Kumar, said the state has made substantial progress over the past decade in building educational infrastructure, expanding institutions, and promoting digital education. 'The school education budget has risen from Rs 829 crore in 2010-11 to Rs 10,260 crore in 2024-25, while higher education spending has grown from Rs 1,724 crore to Rs 6,404 crore during the same period," Kumar said while speaking at Assocham organised EduMeet 2025, according to a statement. Kumar said that the number of universities in the state has expanded from 12 in 2010-11 to 46 at present, including 31 state-run and 15 private universities. Similarly, higher education institutions have nearly doubled from 1,056 to 2,049, and 7,260 new schools have been added, taking the total to 57,690. Kumar also highlighted progress in enrollment and gender parity. 'The gross enrollment ratio has grown from 13.24 lakh to 27.22 lakh students, and the gender parity ratio has improved from 42 per cent to 50 per cent, ensuring equal participation of boys and girls in education," he said in the statement. Kevin Goh, Acting Consul General of Australia, said Australia is keen to collaborate with India not only at the university level but also in vocational, secondary, and skills-based education. He cited the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) and the MATES scheme as key enablers of education and skills mobility between the two countries. PTI BSM RG view comments First Published: July 18, 2025, 21:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
29-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Indian students opting for Australia as immigration policies tighten in U.S., U.K.: Experts
Restrictive policies of countries like the United States and the United Kingdom concerning international students and post-study work might push more Indian students towards Australia, experts said. Notably, India ranks second in international student enrolments to Australian universities between 2003 and 2024, according to data from the Australian government's Education Department. With a record 139,038 students, India made up 16% of the total number of foreign student enrolments in Australian universities in 2024, second only to China. 'Australia has remained a key destination for aspiring Indian students for the last many years. Currently, over 1,30,000 Indian students are enrolled in Australian universities, marking a steady year-on-year increase for the last five years. I see that in an upwards trajectory,' Vik Singh, Commissioner of Education at the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), told The Hindu. Mr. Singh highlighted that factors like restrictive policies in other countries, coupled with high global rankings of Australian universities, safety of students, and a liberal post-study work system have also made Australia a more appealing choice to Indian students than other destinations. 'Indians, in particular, can leverage a more generous post-study work system in Australia than most other international students. Courtesy of the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, Indian students can stay for a maximum of four years after completing their degree to work in Australia. So, academic excellence, liberal post-study work options, and a warm and welcoming environment put together can explain the increasing number of Indian students opting to go to Australia,' Mr. Singh said. The Austrade Commissioner also underlined that Australia is one of the first countries to have branch campuses in India. 'We have two universities, the University of Wollongong and Deakin University, operating with branch campuses in India. We have more branch campuses coming up in Mumbai and Delhi. These would greatly benefit students who wish to leverage a degree from Australia without leaving the country,' Mr. Singh said. He added that there are about 430-odd partnerships between Australian and Indian institutions, offering students the opportunity to get a degree from a quality Indian institution as well as a quality Australian institution. According to data from the Australian government, the number of Indian students enrolling to Australian universities peaked in 2024, following a steady increase from 2015. These observations assume importance in light of the United States' recent decision to halt student visa appointments and check social media accounts of applicants for 'anti-American' sentiments. The Donald Trump government has also cracked down on existing student visa-holders and slashed funding for universities, leading to uncertainty among Indian students aspiring to pursue an education in the United States. On the other hand, Britain's Labour government, in a white paper released on May 12 this year, said that it will strengthen the requirements for sponsoring institutions to recruit international students, to prevent misuse of student visas. The policy paper, titled 'Restoring control over the immigration system', also said that the U.K. government will 'reduce the ability for Graduates to remain in the U.K. after their studies to a period of 18 months after their graduation'. Earlier, international students could stay in the United Kingdom for two years (or three years for PhD students) after graduation to work or look for jobs. In June, the Australian government organised the 'Festival of Australia' in Kolkata, Coimbatore, Dhaka, and Colombo, to connect aspirants to representatives from Australian universities.
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Business Standard
20-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Indian students eye Germany, but US, UK, Canada remain top study choices
Over the past decade, a growing number of Indian families have planned for their children's overseas education with four destinations in mind: the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia. A degree from these countries brought prestige, exposure, and, often, a foot in the door to global careers. Today, however, that picture is changing. Rising costs and tighter visa rules are prompting many to ask a different question: Where else can students study? Data from India's Bureau of Immigration (BoI) shows that more students are now picking countries outside the traditional Big Four. In 2024, nearly 35,000 Indian students declared Germany as their destination—almost double the 2019 figure. Russia saw a similar trend, with 31,400 Indian students heading there in 2024. And Uzbekistan, once a negligible option with just 300 Indian students in 2019, saw close to 10,000 declarations last year. 'The global race to attract Indian talent will intensify, and emerging destinations that align education with employability, affordability, and long-term opportunities will attract the best and brightest minds,' said Meti Basiri, co-founder and CEO, ApplyBoard. Canada: 137,608 USA: 204,058 Australia: 68,572 UK: 98,890 Germany: 34,702 Russia: 31,444 Bangladesh: 29,232 Singapore: 14,547 Kyrgyz Republic: 11,875 Kazakhstan: 11,638 Shift students didn't ask for In the past year, major destination countries have announced policies that have made it harder or more expensive for Indian students. • Canada has capped study permits • The UK reduced dependant visas and is reviewing the Graduate visa • The US has paused some student visa interviews • Australia raised financial requirements and tightened post-study work rules As a result, many Indian parents are now reconsidering long-held assumptions about overseas education. 'The parents, who were once focused on how much they need to save, are now asking, 'Where should we even send them?'' said Basiri. Alternative destinations growing, but Big Four still dominate An analysis by ApplyBoard confirms that Indian students are still heading to the US, UK, Canada and Australia in large numbers—but the numbers show clear signs of disruption. Australia In 2024, about 139,000 Indian students held Australian student visas—up 11% from 2023. This included students benefiting from favourable terms under the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), such as longer post-study work visas. However, new policies have made entry tougher: • Directive 111 has limited student visas • Applications from Indian students dropped 20% in 2023/24 • Higher visa fees and language requirements are in place Canada The total number of Indian study permit holders in Canada dipped by 8% to 393,000 in 2024. While approval rates for Indians were still about 30% higher than the global average, new permit caps and backlogs meant fewer fresh approvals. As students who enrolled in 2021 start to graduate, overall permit holder numbers are expected to drop further over the next two years. United Kingdom Indian student numbers in the UK declined 4% in the 2023/24 academic year, according to figures based on students with an Indian permanent address. Policy changes like the bar on dependants for non-research students may have contributed to the dip. But Q1 2025 figures show signs of a rebound: • Global student visa applications rose 30% over Q1 2024 • Indian main applicant visa submissions rose 29% Still, the UK's new Immigration White Paper—proposing a shorter 18-month Graduate visa—could affect future plans for many. United States Indian student visa holders in the US rose 23% year-over-year in 2023/24 to nearly 332,000, driven in part by the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme for STEM graduates. India overtook China as the largest source of international students in the US. Around 75% of Indian students were either pursuing STEM programmes or completing OPT. However, 2025 has brought new hurdles: • Pausing of the Fulbright scholarship programme • Suspension of new visa interviews in late May • Cutbacks at the federal Department of Education These changes are expected to affect the next wave of applicants. More Indians are declaring education as their reason for travel In 2024, nearly 760,000 Indian nationals told BoI officials that education was the reason they were leaving the country. This marks a steady increase from previous years, although 2024's numbers reflect a stabilisation after the post-pandemic spike of 2023. 'As more students plan to study abroad than ever before, affordability, safety, and return on investment have become key decision factors,' said Basiri.
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Business Standard
02-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Australia now top choice for Indian students; visa, cost concerns persist
Australia has cemented its place as the top study destination for Indian students, overtaking the United States, while Canada's popularity continues to dip, according to a survey conducted by international education specialist IDP Education in March 2025. Australia accounted for 28% of first-choice preferences among students surveyed, compared to 22% for the United States and 21% for the United Kingdom. Canada fell sharply to 13%, a six per cent decline compared with March 2024. 'Despite the rise in visa and tuition fees, Australia continues to see strong interest from Indian students. Many families approach it as a long-term investment, weighing factors like academic quality, post-study work rights, safety, and the overall student experience,' Piyush Kumar, Regional Director - South Asia, Canada and Latin America at IDP Education told Business Standard. The Emerging Futures Seven – Voice of the International Student research, based on over 6,000 responses worldwide including nearly 1,400 from India found that Australia's appeal has been helped by its strong showing in global rankings, with 15 universities placed among the top 200 in the QS World University Rankings 2025. Students also benefit from extended post-study work rights through the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), making it easier for graduates to build careers after completing their degrees. The United States also remains a strong choice for students, holding a 22% share of first-choice preferences. Students favour the US for quality education, graduate employment opportunities, and post-study work visa policies. 'A post-study work visa is very important. Employers don't want to waste resources training someone who may not be able to stay. So, they set a prerequisite: you must have the legal right to work here before they are willing to invest in training you. Otherwise, everyone who joins is a beginner, and they can't afford to train just anyone,' said an IDP student from China. Rising costs and visa hurdles weigh on student decisions Even as Australia and the United States surge ahead, concerns about affordability remain front and centre for Indian students planning to study abroad. According to the survey, 66% of students have identified cost and finances as their biggest concern. Visa challenges are the next most common worry, mentioned by 47% of respondents. 'Financial factors like tuition costs and savings requirements are top of mind for Indian students — and we're starting to see how that is shaping their decisions. More than half of Indian students say their choice of study destination would change based on the availability of scholarships (55%) and part-time work opportunities (54%),' said Kumar. In addition, housing costs (43%) and balancing work and studies (39%) were flagged as major challenges by international students surveyed. Career development opportunities are driving choices Career development remains the leading motivation behind the decision to study abroad. According to the survey, 77% of Indian students pursue international education for career advancement, including better employability and higher earnings. 'We know that international students choose their study destination based on factors that help them become job ready, with access to post-study employment visas being the key influence. Students leaving India to embark on their global journeys are no different,' said Simon Emmett, Chief Partner Officer at IDP Education. Job outcomes after graduation are particularly important: < 70% of Indian students ranked access to work placements as the top academic factor when selecting an institution. < 69% cited job outcomes from the institution as the top non-academic factor, which is nine per cent higher than the global average. The research also found that nearly half (45%) of current Indian students and 43% of prospective or applied students intend to work in their destination country after completing their studies. Academic quality and reputations still matter While jobs dominate the conversation, academic factors continue to influence decisions too. The study found that: < 67% of Indian students cited education quality as a key reason to pursue an international qualification. < 56% chose acquiring global knowledge as a major motivation. < 50% valued earning reputable qualifications, while 47% pointed to broader education options available abroad. Students' perception of what defines 'high quality education' has also shifted. Graduate employment rate is now the top indicator students use to judge an institution's quality, ahead of traditional markers like university rankings or the reputation of academic staff. When asked about what mattered most: Graduate employment rate ranked first. Institution ranking came second. Facilities available to students placed third. Quality of academic staff came fourth. Cost of tuition fees was ranked fifth. Which country do students now prefer? < The United Kingdom scored highest in international student policies. < The United States and Australia led in perceived quality of education, value for money, graduate employment opportunities, and post-study work visa policies. Reflecting on the importance of work rights, an IDP student from China shared, 'A post-study work visa is very important. Employers don't want to waste resources training someone who may not be able to stay.' First-choice destinations over time The survey tracked how student preferences have changed over time: Australia: 28% (+5% compared to 2024) United States: 22% (+1%) United Kingdom: 21% (-2%) Canada: 13% (-6%) New Zealand: 5% (+3%) Other destinations: 11% Key numbers from the report < 66% cited cost and finances as their top concern. < 47% pointed to visa challenges. < 77% of Indian students pursue international education for career advancement. < 70% prioritise access to work placements at institutions. < 69% value job outcomes after graduation when selecting an institution. < 45% of current students and 43% of prospective students intend to work in the destination country after graduating.
