Latest news with #SaurabhArora
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Hyderabad students forgo ivy dreams for offbeat courses
Representative Image Students from Hyderabad are increasingly ditching the conventional route of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) programmes in the US or UK, opting instead for offbeat courses in less expensive, non-traditional study destinations. There has been a 20–30% spike in applications, according to study abroad consultants. 'We're seeing a growing number of Indian students explore courses beyond the traditional STEM and business paths, fields like culinary arts, fashion, architecture, fine arts, and interior design. While STEM continues to attract the majority, this shift signals a broader mindset where more students are choosing what they genuinely enjoy, not just what feels safe or conventional," said Saurabh Arora, founder of University Living, a global student accommodation service provider. STEM courses You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad He added, 'The number of Indian students in Germany rose from 46,000 in 2024 to an estimated 54,000 in 2025 and could cross 1.14 lakh by 2030. France already hosts over 7,600 Indian students, with that number expected to more than double by the end of the decade.' Italy, though often overlooked, is a global hub for design, arts, and culinary education and is gaining momentum, with around 10,000 Indian students currently enrolled and projections suggesting over 25,000 by 2030. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Đây có thể là thời điểm tốt nhất để giao dịch vàng trong 5 năm qua IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo 'The US remains popular for tech and STEM courses, but students are beginning to weigh their options. Countries like France and Germany are offering a wide variety of affordable programmes that aren't just STEM-focused,' said Chirandeep Patnaik, founder of Lemma One Consulting. 'France, for instance, has seen a spike in demand for programmes in fashion, history, event management, and social sciences, especially after it extended its poststudy work visa for master's students from two years to five. The prioritynow is employability and exposure. And that's pushing both students and their families to think outside the US-UK box.' Low cost of education Students are also driven by the low cost of education. 'Public universities in France offer programmes in the Rs 7 lakh to Rs 10 lakh range, which is far more affordable compared to the Rs 25 lakh or more needed for a year in the US,' added Patnaik. 'You're looking at quality education and global exposure at a fraction of the cost,' he said. Germany, too, continues todraw students interested in engineering, but now also in urban planning and industrial design. Niche programmes 'Most German public universities don't charge tuition fees, and the cost of living is manageable. That's a huge draw,' said Sahas Yuvaraj from Way2 Abroad Consultancy, a consultancy based in Hyderabad. New Zealand and the Netherlands are also seeing an uptick, especially for niche programmes in creative arts and digital media. 'Indian students are realising that they can get globally relevant skills in newer destinations that are less saturated and more welcoming,' said Yuvaraj. Even Southeast Asia is emerging as an alternative. Countries like the Philippines are seeing enrolments in fields such as medicine and healthcare, particularly due to the English-speaking environment and easier admission processes. 'Earlier, the question was 'which Ivy League or top US school should I go to?' Now it's 'where can I study what I love without breaking the bank and still get work experience?'' said Rajni Mankotiya, an educational consultant. 'That change is quite refreshing.'
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Australia's student visa now world's costliest, but Indians undeterred
Australia has once again increased its student visa fee for college/universities, making it the world's costliest. From July 1, 2025, international students must pay AUD 2,000 (around ₹1.12 lakh) to apply, up from AUD 1,600 earlier. Despite the jump, education consultants say Indian students are unlikely to look elsewhere. 'For those budgeting between AUD 55,000 to 85,000 (approximately ₹30.8 lakh to ₹47.6 lakh) annually on tuition, housing, and living expenses, this AUD 400 increase in visa cost is noticeable but may not be decisive,' Saurabh Arora, founder and CEO of University Living told Business Standard. Students focus on post-study outcomes 'What students evaluate is 'value'. Post-study work rights, academic reputation, quality of life, and long-term career outcomes carry far more weight than a one-time fee adjustment,' Arora added. Australia's Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) allows international graduates to stay and work for two to six years, depending on qualifications. Universities such as Melbourne, Monash, and UNSW remain popular among Indian students for their research quality and employment outcomes. Other destinations gaining traction Even as Australia remains dominant, countries like Germany, France, and New Zealand are attracting more Indian students: • University Living's Europe Report says Indian enrolments in Germany grew by 38 per cent between 2021 and 2023, and may triple by 2030 • France, Spain, and Italy offer affordable tuition, cultural experiences, and good post-study opportunities • New Zealand appeals to students in healthcare, STEM, and sustainability fields due to its practical training focus Australia still leads global student preferences A March 2025 survey by IDP Education showed Australia as the top study destination among Indian students, surpassing the United States. Australia accounted for 28 per cent of first-choice preferences, followed by the US (22 per cent), UK (21 per cent), and Canada (13 per cent). '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. Finances remain the biggest worry According to IDP's Emerging Futures Seven – Voice of the International Student• report, based on over 6,000 responses globally including nearly 1,400 from India: • 66 per cent of students identified finances as their biggest concern • 47 per cent mentioned visa difficulties • 55 per cent said scholarships influence destination choice • 54 per cent looked for part-time work options • 43 per cent cited housing costs • 39 per cent flagged the struggle to balance study and work How Australia compares on visa fees for students US (F-1 visa): USD 185 (₹15,780) Canada: CAD 150 (₹9,415) UK: GBP 490 (₹57,133) Australia: AUD 2,000 (₹1.12 lakh) Cost of studying in Australia According to University Living's Australia Report 2025: Visa-related costs including biometrics and health checks: AUD 2,200–2,300 (₹1.23–1.29 lakh) Undergraduate tuition: AUD 20,000–40,000 annually (₹11.2–22.4 lakh) Postgraduate tuition: AUD 22,000–50,000 annually (₹12.3–28 lakh) High-demand programmes (e.g. medicine, MBA): Up to AUD 100,000 (₹56 lakh) Living expenses: AUD 17,000–26,000 annually (₹9.5–14.6 lakh) Additional costs (travel, insurance, books): AUD 3,000–5,000 (₹1.7–2.8 lakh) Several leading Australian universities have raised international tuition fees by 5–7 per cent for 2025. Arora said many still offer merit-based waivers of AUD 2,500 to 10,000 per year, and some provide up to 50 per cent or full tuition coverage. 'Research-focused postgraduate students can also benefit from scholarships that cover full tuition along with a living allowance and academic support,' he said.
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Auriga Research, SFRI ink pact to advance clinical research, AI-driven support for healthcare industry
Contract Research Organization (CRO) Auriga Research Private Limited on Wednesday said it has entered into a strategic agreement with San Francisco Research Institute (SFRI), a US-based healthcare research and innovation organisation, to advance global clinical research , AI-driven support for the healthcare industry. This collaboration aims to strengthen global clinical research, promote AI-integrated healthcare solutions, and expand access to compliant wellness products across India, the United States, and Africa, the company said in a statement. "This strategic partnership with SFRI reflects our commitment to advancing global standards in clinical research and healthcare innovation . By leveraging our strengths in regulatory science, AI-driven trials, and product development , we aim to expand access to safe, effective, and globally compliant health solutions across India, the US, and Africa. It will also help identify untapped opportunities in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and other emerging markets," Auriga Research Managing Director Saurabh Arora said. SFRI will also support regulatory strategy, public health collaboration, and commercial partnerships in markets such as Nigeria and the US, the statement said. This includes enabling product registration with national health agencies, connecting Auriga to distributors and marketers, and directly supporting sales outreach and supply chain strategies, it added. "This partnership combines Auriga's clinical research expertise with our strengths in AI and regulatory capabilities to accelerate the development of compliant, patient-centric health innovations. It marks a strategic step toward bridging global regulatory ecosystems and scaling evidence-based wellness solutions across geographies by managing regulatory submissions and ensuring compliance with agencies such as the FDA, EFSA, TGA, and others," SFRI CEO John Ademola said. The two organisations will jointly expand their Research Training Program through both digital platforms and in-person sessions, while also co-developing new products and AI applications for healthcare. Additionally, both the organisations will pursue government and foundation-funded projects to further their impact on global health systems.
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Auriga Research, SFRI ink pact to advance clinical research, AI-driven support for healthcare industry
Contract Research Organization (CRO) Auriga Research Private Limited on Wednesday said it has entered into a strategic agreement with San Francisco Research Institute (SFRI), a US-based healthcare research and innovation organisation, to advance global clinical research , AI-driven support for the healthcare industry. This collaboration aims to strengthen global clinical research, promote AI-integrated healthcare solutions, and expand access to compliant wellness products across India, the United States, and Africa, the company said in a statement. "This strategic partnership with SFRI reflects our commitment to advancing global standards in clinical research and healthcare innovation . By leveraging our strengths in regulatory science, AI-driven trials, and product development , we aim to expand access to safe, effective, and globally compliant health solutions across India, the US, and Africa. It will also help identify untapped opportunities in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and other emerging markets," Auriga Research Managing Director Saurabh Arora said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like War Thunder - Register now for free and play against over 75 Million real Players War Thunder Play Now Undo SFRI will also support regulatory strategy, public health collaboration, and commercial partnerships in markets such as Nigeria and the US, the statement said. This includes enabling product registration with national health agencies, connecting Auriga to distributors and marketers, and directly supporting sales outreach and supply chain strategies, it added. Live Events "This partnership combines Auriga's clinical research expertise with our strengths in AI and regulatory capabilities to accelerate the development of compliant, patient-centric health innovations. It marks a strategic step toward bridging global regulatory ecosystems and scaling evidence-based wellness solutions across geographies by managing regulatory submissions and ensuring compliance with agencies such as the FDA, EFSA, TGA, and others," SFRI CEO John Ademola said. The two organisations will jointly expand their Research Training Program through both digital platforms and in-person sessions, while also co-developing new products and AI applications for healthcare. Additionally, both the organisations will pursue government and foundation-funded projects to further their impact on global health systems.
News18
01-06-2025
- Health
- News18
Safe to Drink? The Untold Risks of Packaged Water in India
Last Updated: The next time you reach for that bottle of water, remember it's not just about quenching thirst. It's about trusting a system designed to protect you, from source to sip. In a country where soaring temperatures and rising pollution levels often make access to clean drinking water a challenge, packaged bottled water is seen as a convenient and seemingly trustworthy solution. Be it at railway stations, airports, or roadside stalls, a bottle of mineral water is often perceived as a safer choice. But is it always as safe as it looks? 'We often take the safety of packaged drinking water for granted, but there is a long and rather strict set of scientific protocols and regulatory checks behind the label on every bottle," says Dr. Saurabh Arora, Managing Director, Auriga Research. The assumption that bottled water is inherently safer than tap water is a common one, especially in urban India. But the real story behind that chilled bottle involves decades of regulatory evolution, public health scares, and increasingly stringent quality standards. According to Dr. Arora, 'Two decades ago, the industry had no specific standards. It was only after significant public health concerns, including the presence of pesticide residues in bottled water and even carbonated beverages, that the Bureau of Indian Standards introduced mandatory frameworks such as IS 14543 for packaged drinking water and IS 13428 for packaged natural mineral water. These standards not only cover the water's quality but also the safety of packaging materials like bottles, jars, and pouches." advetisement These regulations have transformed the bottled water industry into one of the most rigorously monitored food sectors in India. Every licensed bottling facility is mandated to conduct daily tests to monitor basic parameters like pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), and conductivity. Weekly and monthly testing expands the spectrum to include anions, cations, pesticide residues, heavy metals, and even microbiological pathogens. 'Today, every licensed facility is expected to conduct daily tests for basic parameters such as pH, dissolved solids, and conductivity. Weekly and monthly testing requirements cover a wide spectrum, from anions and cations to pesticide residues, heavy metals, and microbiological pathogens. Third-party laboratory testing at BIS or NABL-accredited labs is mandatory at multiple intervals throughout the year," says Dr. Arora. Interestingly, quality control doesn't end with the water alone. Even the plastic bottle it comes in undergoes scrutiny. 'Even the sensory attributes of water, its smell, taste, and clarity, are validated through organoleptic testing. Packaging, too, undergoes rigorous evaluation for structural integrity and chemical migration to prevent leaching of harmful substances," he explains. With the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) stepping in as a key regulatory body, the bar for compliance has been raised even higher. Packaged water is now classified as a high-risk food product, a designation that requires bottling plants to undergo third-party audits every six months. 'With the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India now overseeing regulatory compliance, packaged water has been classified as a high-risk food product. This means facilities must undergo third-party audits every six months and remain compliant with FSSAI's quality framework," Dr. Arora adds. Despite these layers of quality checks, consumer trust doesn't come from the glossy label or a fancy cap. 'At our research center, we believe that trust in packaged water does not stem from branding or packaging. It is built on an invisible ecosystem of state-of-the-art testing infrastructure, regulatory vigilance, and scientific integrity. It is this commitment that safeguards public health and ensures that every sip consumers take is not only refreshing but also safe," says Dr. Arora. So the next time you reach for that bottle of water, remember—it's not just about quenching thirst. It's about trusting a system designed to protect you, from source to sip. About the Author Swati Chaturvedi First Published: June 01, 2025, 11:39 IST
