Friday, November 19, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
A video from You tube about Top American graduates heading to India for employment
RT America posted this interesting you tube video.
In their words "Breaking tradition, top American graduates are heading to India to find jobs and opportunity. Many believe that having experience in India is an important addition to their resume in this increasingly globalized world. Some say that its easier to find a good job in India than in the United States, as India's economy is growing while the US economy is predicted to shrink within the next year."
Thank you RT America
Please see the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPDHfqpEVD4
In their words "Breaking tradition, top American graduates are heading to India to find jobs and opportunity. Many believe that having experience in India is an important addition to their resume in this increasingly globalized world. Some say that its easier to find a good job in India than in the United States, as India's economy is growing while the US economy is predicted to shrink within the next year."
Thank you RT America
Please see the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPDHfqpEVD4
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Study Permits: One avenue on the roadmap to Canada
Want to study in Canada?
Canada's first-rate academic institutions welcome international students from across the world. More than 130,000 students come to study in Canada every year and even more come to Canada to learn English or French. Foreign students bring a rich culture to Canadian classrooms.
For example, McGill University, in Montreal, ranked 19th in the world according to the World University Rankings Results for 2010. With students coming to McGill from more than 150 countries, the student population at McGill is the most internationally diverse of any university in Canada. But McGill is not alone. The vast majority of schools in Canada have a vibrant, engaged community that’s welcoming to international students and rich in diversity.
To be a more innovative society and to be able to compete and prosper in a global, knowledge-based economy, Canada needs people with an international outlook, skills and experience. Minister of Immigration, Jason Kenney, has said, “Attracting more international students is a priority for our government."
Most international students will require a student visa (know as a Study Permit) to study in Canada. A Study Permit is a document issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) that allows a foreign individual to study in Canada for a limited time, generally at a specific Canadian educational institution and in a specific program.
Study permits as an avenue to Canadian permanent residency
Not only will studying in Canada prepare you for work in Canada, it can also help you fast-track your Canadian immigration application if you wish to stay in Canada after you finish your study program. Additionally, international students are eligible for Work Permits to obtain Canadian work experience both during and after their studies.
Upon graduation, international students are encouraged to obtain Canadian work experience. The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program allows international graduates to obtain a three-year open work permit so that they can stay and contribute to the Canadian work force.
“For many, studying in Canada may be an innovative way to qualify for permanent residency in Canada,” says Attorney David Cohen.
The Canadian Experience Class is one way students can qualify for Canadian permanent residency. Another way to qualify for Canadian permanent residency is by applying to a provincial nomination program (PNP).
The provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia have immigration categories specifically for international graduates as part of their PNPs. To be eligible, an applicant is required to have completed a college or university program in Canada and received a job offer from an employer in that province.
Even better, the provinces of Ontario, British Columbia and Manitoba have similar categories as above for international graduates, but have also introduced streams that do not require a job offer.
The Opportunities Ontario PNP has the International PhD Graduate stream and the International Masters Graduate Stream. These streams are for graduates of masters or PhD programs at Ontario publicly-funded universities. A job offer is not required in order to be eligible to apply.
The province of British Columbia recently added the International Post-Graduates Pilot Project to its PNP. Under this category, international students who have obtained masters or doctorate degrees in the natural, applied or health sciences within the last two years may apply even if they have not obtained a job offer.
Starting in 2011, the Manitoba PNP will introduce an International Student Stream whereby applicants who graduate from a college or university program of at least two academic years will be able to apply immediately to the Provincial Nominee Program in advance of receiving an offer of employment .
Contributed by: Mr. Amar Roy, Director of Marketing - IKN
Source:
http://www.canadavisa.com/study-permits-one-avenue-on-the-roadmap-to-canada.html
Canada's first-rate academic institutions welcome international students from across the world. More than 130,000 students come to study in Canada every year and even more come to Canada to learn English or French. Foreign students bring a rich culture to Canadian classrooms.
For example, McGill University, in Montreal, ranked 19th in the world according to the World University Rankings Results for 2010. With students coming to McGill from more than 150 countries, the student population at McGill is the most internationally diverse of any university in Canada. But McGill is not alone. The vast majority of schools in Canada have a vibrant, engaged community that’s welcoming to international students and rich in diversity.
To be a more innovative society and to be able to compete and prosper in a global, knowledge-based economy, Canada needs people with an international outlook, skills and experience. Minister of Immigration, Jason Kenney, has said, “Attracting more international students is a priority for our government."
Most international students will require a student visa (know as a Study Permit) to study in Canada. A Study Permit is a document issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) that allows a foreign individual to study in Canada for a limited time, generally at a specific Canadian educational institution and in a specific program.
Study permits as an avenue to Canadian permanent residency
Not only will studying in Canada prepare you for work in Canada, it can also help you fast-track your Canadian immigration application if you wish to stay in Canada after you finish your study program. Additionally, international students are eligible for Work Permits to obtain Canadian work experience both during and after their studies.
Upon graduation, international students are encouraged to obtain Canadian work experience. The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program allows international graduates to obtain a three-year open work permit so that they can stay and contribute to the Canadian work force.
“For many, studying in Canada may be an innovative way to qualify for permanent residency in Canada,” says Attorney David Cohen.
The Canadian Experience Class is one way students can qualify for Canadian permanent residency. Another way to qualify for Canadian permanent residency is by applying to a provincial nomination program (PNP).
The provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia have immigration categories specifically for international graduates as part of their PNPs. To be eligible, an applicant is required to have completed a college or university program in Canada and received a job offer from an employer in that province.
Even better, the provinces of Ontario, British Columbia and Manitoba have similar categories as above for international graduates, but have also introduced streams that do not require a job offer.
The Opportunities Ontario PNP has the International PhD Graduate stream and the International Masters Graduate Stream. These streams are for graduates of masters or PhD programs at Ontario publicly-funded universities. A job offer is not required in order to be eligible to apply.
The province of British Columbia recently added the International Post-Graduates Pilot Project to its PNP. Under this category, international students who have obtained masters or doctorate degrees in the natural, applied or health sciences within the last two years may apply even if they have not obtained a job offer.
Starting in 2011, the Manitoba PNP will introduce an International Student Stream whereby applicants who graduate from a college or university program of at least two academic years will be able to apply immediately to the Provincial Nominee Program in advance of receiving an offer of employment .
Contributed by: Mr. Amar Roy, Director of Marketing - IKN
Source:
http://www.canadavisa.com/study-permits-one-avenue-on-the-roadmap-to-canada.html
Monday, November 1, 2010
Importance of setting up a Campus in India
In fact setting up a campus in India will greatly benefit an international university, especially if they could pass on the benefits in savings to their students at mother campus. Also they would be able to attract larger number of students (both at home and in India) by offering controlled exchange programs and in some case lowering the fees (option to do part of studies at a campus in India).
The tuition fees is going to be the major game changer for these Universities (both at home as well as in India) as the students in Americas are graduating with significant amount of educational loan (it takes almost 10 – 15 years to pay off) leading to low enrollment in PG programs in the Universities along with the competition from the community colleges, which are offering short term diploma programs and co-op programs. Additionally, the drying up of government funding for University advancements and R&D all across the Europe and Americas are some of the issues which emphasize the need of the hour.
However, jumping on the first available opportunity without some research is not an option (due to large amount of resources and funds engaged) and may backfire. As you know one of the better known US University pulls the plug on its campus in Dubai for exactly the reasons you mentioned above. Whereas the Europeans are doing well in ME because they adapted well to the local ground realities and requirements.
My other submission is that often, we take things for granted and on face value. Like any other business venture unless we need to develop a local team of consultants, who are in sync with the ground realities and can offer their expertise to deal with the local issues and represent the interest of these academic organizations.
No disrespect but most universities are over loading their deans and academic staff with the burden of additional responsibilities in developing /managing their international advancement strategies. Well unless these guys are given an independent charge and full time roles, it is going to be a case of half hearted efforts.
Most international delegations are well received by academic Institutions in India but there after due to lack of follow-ups and will, things fizzle out soon.
Having a joint venture with an academic institution in India is one thing but to make it work is all together a different ball game. The proof is on the websites of hundred of academic institutions in India, you can see they all boasts to have some sorts of foreign tie ups but over 90% stays on paper. So it makes it all the more important to have some sort of local presence in form of a local representative/s to take care of the interest of the organization because the academic partner will first take care of its interest.
The tuition fees is going to be the major game changer for these Universities (both at home as well as in India) as the students in Americas are graduating with significant amount of educational loan (it takes almost 10 – 15 years to pay off) leading to low enrollment in PG programs in the Universities along with the competition from the community colleges, which are offering short term diploma programs and co-op programs. Additionally, the drying up of government funding for University advancements and R&D all across the Europe and Americas are some of the issues which emphasize the need of the hour.
However, jumping on the first available opportunity without some research is not an option (due to large amount of resources and funds engaged) and may backfire. As you know one of the better known US University pulls the plug on its campus in Dubai for exactly the reasons you mentioned above. Whereas the Europeans are doing well in ME because they adapted well to the local ground realities and requirements.
My other submission is that often, we take things for granted and on face value. Like any other business venture unless we need to develop a local team of consultants, who are in sync with the ground realities and can offer their expertise to deal with the local issues and represent the interest of these academic organizations.
No disrespect but most universities are over loading their deans and academic staff with the burden of additional responsibilities in developing /managing their international advancement strategies. Well unless these guys are given an independent charge and full time roles, it is going to be a case of half hearted efforts.
Most international delegations are well received by academic Institutions in India but there after due to lack of follow-ups and will, things fizzle out soon.
Having a joint venture with an academic institution in India is one thing but to make it work is all together a different ball game. The proof is on the websites of hundred of academic institutions in India, you can see they all boasts to have some sorts of foreign tie ups but over 90% stays on paper. So it makes it all the more important to have some sort of local presence in form of a local representative/s to take care of the interest of the organization because the academic partner will first take care of its interest.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Top American graduates heading to India for employment
IKN has predicted this trend last year and we sincerely hope that the academic institutions in India will cash in on this trend.
Our expert team members are on stand by and are available in India, Canada, Middle-east, Europe, Africa and Oceania region. Just contact us at info@iknownetwork.org and we will get back to you to discuss with you how IKN can add value to your International Plan.
Our expert team members are on stand by and are available in India, Canada, Middle-east, Europe, Africa and Oceania region. Just contact us at info@iknownetwork.org and we will get back to you to discuss with you how IKN can add value to your International Plan.
Why would a foreign University set up there campus in India? A look at Canada - India possibilities
The Indian government has approved a plan allowing foreign universities to establish campuses and offer degrees in the country. India's education minister Mr. Kapil Sibal calls the legislation "a milestone which will enhance choices, and increase competition and benchmark quality." The bill, which needs to be ratified by parliament, has been opposed by some political parties who believe it will benefit only elite Indians with poorer students unable to afford high fees.
The new Bill 57, will pave the way for foreign universities in India (but has been deferred to the winter session of India's parliament). Although India has committed to spend 5% of GDP on education, only 0.37% is spent on higher education domestically, while $13 billion is spent by students going abroad. There is a significant deficiency in higher education capacity in India. Currently, India is the source of 5% of all international students worldwide (15% come from China), and most study in the US, UK, France, Germany and Australia.
Canada attracts just 4% of international students, however, that 4% students contributed 6.5billion dollars in the Canadian economy as per the 2008 figures. Since 2000, the flow of Indian students into Canada has increased significantly, from 1,000 to more than 6,000 students.
IKN sees great opportunity for joint grad studies, twinning of institutions, industry linkages, vocational training collaborations, and public-private partnerships. Our expert and experienced team members have strategically connected with the key decision makers of highly renowned educational institutions in India and Canada.
India will benefit from the establishment of foreign universities in India, so long as fees are affordable for Indian families, and overly generous salaries do not drain faculty from existing institutions in India. Moreover, Canadian universities will have the advantage of providing lower tuitions to their native students if they study in Indian campuses.
Kapil Sibal, India's minister responsible for higher education, discusses his pledge to allow foreign universities to operate in the country. Stressing there are no "preconditions" for foreign institutions wishing to enter the Indian market, Sibal states that schools will be able to determine their own tuition and curricula, but must seek accreditation in India and cannot repatriate profits.
Foreign institutions will not have to comply with India's quota laws, which set aside a percentage of seats for students from various social classes, so long as the schools do not accept federal or state government support.
The new Bill 57, will pave the way for foreign universities in India (but has been deferred to the winter session of India's parliament). Although India has committed to spend 5% of GDP on education, only 0.37% is spent on higher education domestically, while $13 billion is spent by students going abroad. There is a significant deficiency in higher education capacity in India. Currently, India is the source of 5% of all international students worldwide (15% come from China), and most study in the US, UK, France, Germany and Australia.
Canada attracts just 4% of international students, however, that 4% students contributed 6.5billion dollars in the Canadian economy as per the 2008 figures. Since 2000, the flow of Indian students into Canada has increased significantly, from 1,000 to more than 6,000 students.
IKN sees great opportunity for joint grad studies, twinning of institutions, industry linkages, vocational training collaborations, and public-private partnerships. Our expert and experienced team members have strategically connected with the key decision makers of highly renowned educational institutions in India and Canada.
India will benefit from the establishment of foreign universities in India, so long as fees are affordable for Indian families, and overly generous salaries do not drain faculty from existing institutions in India. Moreover, Canadian universities will have the advantage of providing lower tuitions to their native students if they study in Indian campuses.
Kapil Sibal, India's minister responsible for higher education, discusses his pledge to allow foreign universities to operate in the country. Stressing there are no "preconditions" for foreign institutions wishing to enter the Indian market, Sibal states that schools will be able to determine their own tuition and curricula, but must seek accreditation in India and cannot repatriate profits.
Foreign institutions will not have to comply with India's quota laws, which set aside a percentage of seats for students from various social classes, so long as the schools do not accept federal or state government support.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
What is there for stake holders?
In regards to the Canadian and American Universities, most are facing decline in registration due to many factors including
- stiff challenge from the local community colleges offering shorter duration course and making students job ready sooner,
- the rising cost of tuition fees in the universities leading to overwhelming student loans, and
- Government cutting back on universities grants.
Most universities prefer to recruit foreign students as they often pay higher fees (atleast in case of Canada) than the native students, so it makes perfect sense for them to move closer to their growing client base. In this case it is going to be both China and India.
Those of you, who are following the international scene closely, know that one of the well known American university had to close it’s campus offering UG / PG programs in middle east due to low number of registrants. To get into the factors what caused this to happen is another debate. But one thing is sure, the academic institutions all over the world are desperately looking for opportunities outside of their home country to attract more students.
The trend has already started when the middle-east offered cheaper land to American and European Universities. However, while Europeans are successful, American failed to perform (they kept the tuition fees same as back home).
India is in much better position than China, Africa & middle-east to offer a ready market, a reliable partners in India with sprawling campus and cheaper resources.
Also the foreign universities have much bigger agenda, as by setting up campus in India, they will be able to offer the same program for much lower fees to their overseas students, most foreign students will then have to enroll in their campus in India and that could lead to a massive inflow of foreign exchange. Besides, it will benefit Indian students as well because they will be able to get the same multinational environment without spending a fortune in a foreign land.
Having said that, it all depends on how Indian institutions would use this situation to their advantage and get benefit from the experience of a foreign university to leverage the interest of both parties and provide higher value to their students.
I am all for the foreign joint ventures in India, because we may have resources and overwhelming demand but certainly we cannot deliver by ourselves. As a nation of over 50% under 25 years of age we require some serious help to be able to train them and offer globally employable skills.
- stiff challenge from the local community colleges offering shorter duration course and making students job ready sooner,
- the rising cost of tuition fees in the universities leading to overwhelming student loans, and
- Government cutting back on universities grants.
Most universities prefer to recruit foreign students as they often pay higher fees (atleast in case of Canada) than the native students, so it makes perfect sense for them to move closer to their growing client base. In this case it is going to be both China and India.
Those of you, who are following the international scene closely, know that one of the well known American university had to close it’s campus offering UG / PG programs in middle east due to low number of registrants. To get into the factors what caused this to happen is another debate. But one thing is sure, the academic institutions all over the world are desperately looking for opportunities outside of their home country to attract more students.
The trend has already started when the middle-east offered cheaper land to American and European Universities. However, while Europeans are successful, American failed to perform (they kept the tuition fees same as back home).
India is in much better position than China, Africa & middle-east to offer a ready market, a reliable partners in India with sprawling campus and cheaper resources.
Also the foreign universities have much bigger agenda, as by setting up campus in India, they will be able to offer the same program for much lower fees to their overseas students, most foreign students will then have to enroll in their campus in India and that could lead to a massive inflow of foreign exchange. Besides, it will benefit Indian students as well because they will be able to get the same multinational environment without spending a fortune in a foreign land.
Having said that, it all depends on how Indian institutions would use this situation to their advantage and get benefit from the experience of a foreign university to leverage the interest of both parties and provide higher value to their students.
I am all for the foreign joint ventures in India, because we may have resources and overwhelming demand but certainly we cannot deliver by ourselves. As a nation of over 50% under 25 years of age we require some serious help to be able to train them and offer globally employable skills.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Impact of Foreign Universities coming in India
I think the foreign universities are going to revamp the higher education in India. Off course, some would join hands initially with the local players to understand the market and gradually take over the organization. Remember what happened in the Auto Sector, it only took 25 years to change the whole scene in India. And we all like that. !!!
More than us, the foreign universities need us.
A very important aspect, which in fact is one of the main catalysts behind this policy and that is Indian students are spending over 4 Billion dollars on their tuition and living expenses abroad.
With the cost of education sky rocketing in the west causing decline in student registration in Under Graduate programs in Universities on one hand and on the other hand Universities are facing stiff competition from the local community colleges offering shorter duration diploma programs which are job oriented and accessible to native students. Tuition fee is beyond the reach of a average person (on an average a MBA tuition fee is USD60K, a typical 1 BR apartment is 90K) , student loans sometimes takes over 20 years to paid off, so education is extremely expensive.
Factors like, increasing popularity of community colleges and non availability of student loans to large number of native students have forced this mediocre and small universities to look for outsourcing their activities and opening doors to foreign students, so in fact the Universities are becoming more aggressive to fight for students in a market like China and India.
It is not wrong to say that most American, European and Australian Universities are funded by the students from China, India and other 3rd world countries.
To reduce their costs, a foreign University has to have a campus in a 3rd world country and India is providing a perfect opportunity, as the students are available in abundance, moreover many colleges are willing to have a joint ventures, sell their campus for a profit etc. etc. It is also a good news to thousand of B Schools in India as thy will be able to decide if they still want to offer an outdated education to students and keep ruining the lives and careers or want to make a quick profit by selling their sprawling campuses... well that's all they got ... the faculty desperately requires a training... and the teaching methodology need a complete overhaul..
By having a campus in India, a foreign University can very well subsidize its fees by offering enrollment to foreign students in India. Also, it would be cheaper for them to outsource most of their R&D, accounting and other back office clerical work to cheaper labor. By opening their campus in India, foreign Universities will be able to outsource many activities to India and offer cheaper alternatives to their native students by enrolling them in their campuses in India.
I anticipate huge rush of foreign universities to India as soon as the parliament in India approves the act, which is already cleared by the cabinet. Many Canadian Universities have already taken concrete steps in this direction and have created India cell (renowned NRI;s as their advisers) & working over time to move full steam ahead as soon as the parliament approve the act.
For students in India, it is winning formula, as they would save on expensive living cost (in the west) and still get a degree from a recognized univ.
Imagine, the kind of education environment we are talking about, students will be studying in multicultural, multi-national diverse academic environment and would be able to participate in global internships, which will help them prepare as globally employable managers / engineers / doctors etc. etc. However, as I mentioned earlier, it will take time and efforts and more than that a strong political will to achieve.
It is a human nature to be skeptical and take a cautious approach to a change but by doing little more research, the risks can be reduced.
Will be interesting to see how the events unfold in the next 5 years.
More than us, the foreign universities need us.
A very important aspect, which in fact is one of the main catalysts behind this policy and that is Indian students are spending over 4 Billion dollars on their tuition and living expenses abroad.
With the cost of education sky rocketing in the west causing decline in student registration in Under Graduate programs in Universities on one hand and on the other hand Universities are facing stiff competition from the local community colleges offering shorter duration diploma programs which are job oriented and accessible to native students. Tuition fee is beyond the reach of a average person (on an average a MBA tuition fee is USD60K, a typical 1 BR apartment is 90K) , student loans sometimes takes over 20 years to paid off, so education is extremely expensive.
Factors like, increasing popularity of community colleges and non availability of student loans to large number of native students have forced this mediocre and small universities to look for outsourcing their activities and opening doors to foreign students, so in fact the Universities are becoming more aggressive to fight for students in a market like China and India.
It is not wrong to say that most American, European and Australian Universities are funded by the students from China, India and other 3rd world countries.
To reduce their costs, a foreign University has to have a campus in a 3rd world country and India is providing a perfect opportunity, as the students are available in abundance, moreover many colleges are willing to have a joint ventures, sell their campus for a profit etc. etc. It is also a good news to thousand of B Schools in India as thy will be able to decide if they still want to offer an outdated education to students and keep ruining the lives and careers or want to make a quick profit by selling their sprawling campuses... well that's all they got ... the faculty desperately requires a training... and the teaching methodology need a complete overhaul..
By having a campus in India, a foreign University can very well subsidize its fees by offering enrollment to foreign students in India. Also, it would be cheaper for them to outsource most of their R&D, accounting and other back office clerical work to cheaper labor. By opening their campus in India, foreign Universities will be able to outsource many activities to India and offer cheaper alternatives to their native students by enrolling them in their campuses in India.
I anticipate huge rush of foreign universities to India as soon as the parliament in India approves the act, which is already cleared by the cabinet. Many Canadian Universities have already taken concrete steps in this direction and have created India cell (renowned NRI;s as their advisers) & working over time to move full steam ahead as soon as the parliament approve the act.
For students in India, it is winning formula, as they would save on expensive living cost (in the west) and still get a degree from a recognized univ.
Imagine, the kind of education environment we are talking about, students will be studying in multicultural, multi-national diverse academic environment and would be able to participate in global internships, which will help them prepare as globally employable managers / engineers / doctors etc. etc. However, as I mentioned earlier, it will take time and efforts and more than that a strong political will to achieve.
It is a human nature to be skeptical and take a cautious approach to a change but by doing little more research, the risks can be reduced.
Will be interesting to see how the events unfold in the next 5 years.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Wrong solution for the right problem !!
The Problem: Indian B Schools and pvt. Engineering colleges are not able to provide employable graduates.
The Solution: Government of India opening doors for Foreign Universities to set up their campus in India.
The problem of quality content writers and trained faculty is acute in India and I had a first hand experience on this issue, which I experienced during my meetings with several deans and directors of engineering / business institutions, who accepts this fact but they are helpless and can’t do anything about it as usually the financial and policy matters are governed by the Owners / Investors.
How can you attract the best talented faculty when you don’t want to spent a penny more than the govt. prescribed pay scales? Many junior faculty members are hired as temp / contract employees and paid lot less. The blame than goes to the govt. which has allowed too much privatization of higher education without having enough quality checks.
One issue leads to another, in search of global employability the students start migrating overseas to get internationally recognized degrees. Now the India government want to stop the migration of students by inviting foreign univ's to India. They say the students going abroad spends over USD5 Billion annually in tuition fees and living expenses and less than half of them intent to return back to India, which causes major brain drain.
This will cause more problems and confusion. Some private Colleges will make money by selling their campuses to these foreign universities as they will see it as another money making opportunity. Many investors are waiting for the foreign universities desperately as they know it is time to reap on their infrastructure investment. What about the investment on the branding, quality of delivered education, reputation? Zero…. The result is some B Schools have sprawling campuses but have a bad reputation. The recruiters also take the advantage of the situation as they get paid to show up so that the institution can advertise that they have attracted large MNC’s in their campus for hiring.
What about improving the curriculum and make it more dynamic as per the industry practices?
I like the report submitted by Yashpal committee, which had pointed out the issues lacking in our higher education system.
Please go at http://www.academics-india.com/Yashpal-committee-report.htm to read the report.
The Solution: Government of India opening doors for Foreign Universities to set up their campus in India.
The problem of quality content writers and trained faculty is acute in India and I had a first hand experience on this issue, which I experienced during my meetings with several deans and directors of engineering / business institutions, who accepts this fact but they are helpless and can’t do anything about it as usually the financial and policy matters are governed by the Owners / Investors.
How can you attract the best talented faculty when you don’t want to spent a penny more than the govt. prescribed pay scales? Many junior faculty members are hired as temp / contract employees and paid lot less. The blame than goes to the govt. which has allowed too much privatization of higher education without having enough quality checks.
One issue leads to another, in search of global employability the students start migrating overseas to get internationally recognized degrees. Now the India government want to stop the migration of students by inviting foreign univ's to India. They say the students going abroad spends over USD5 Billion annually in tuition fees and living expenses and less than half of them intent to return back to India, which causes major brain drain.
This will cause more problems and confusion. Some private Colleges will make money by selling their campuses to these foreign universities as they will see it as another money making opportunity. Many investors are waiting for the foreign universities desperately as they know it is time to reap on their infrastructure investment. What about the investment on the branding, quality of delivered education, reputation? Zero…. The result is some B Schools have sprawling campuses but have a bad reputation. The recruiters also take the advantage of the situation as they get paid to show up so that the institution can advertise that they have attracted large MNC’s in their campus for hiring.
What about improving the curriculum and make it more dynamic as per the industry practices?
I like the report submitted by Yashpal committee, which had pointed out the issues lacking in our higher education system.
Please go at http://www.academics-india.com/Yashpal-committee-report.htm to read the report.
Educational institutions, making students employable or placing them temporarily?
With reference to the topic of this discussion, the aim of "educational institution" is to provide quality education to help individuals build a successful and sustaining career.
However, the aim of "for profit educational institution" is --- You got that right; "to make profit". I don’t see it as a bad thing at all, because they cannot depend on government grants and donations. It is a hugely popular concept in Americas and unlike their counter parts in India they do deliver on their promises. Anyone who has studied in these institutions or have worked with them can confirm this.
Typically, universities and colleges have to made huge investments in their research and development of teaching methods, curriculum development, faculty training, student activities, industry interface, etc. etc. besides the maintenance of infrastructure so that they can maintain their status as a prestigious institutions desired by students seeking admission.
However, it is not the case in India. The sooner we realize the fact that there aren’t enough jobs in India for all the management and engineering graduates which are adding to the already waiting unemployed / underemployed workforce.
We need to go back to our long forgotten system of polytechnics and training colleges to provide real time hands on training, to enable an individual to become a highly skilled professional or can sustain as a self employed by operating on his own.
With over 50% of population under the age of 25 years, it is imperative that India is going to face more challenges in terms of providing jobs to millions of graduates in the next 10 years. The only way is to think and plan ahead of the time and responsibly act on promoting a culture of skills based education. So that a graduate not only has an opportunity to sustain as a self employed but can also provide jobs to others as an entrepreneur.
Like in Americas, students know this fact and therefore seek enrollment in a Community college diploma program which provides them skills as per their hobbies and interests. Moreover, during their schooling they are encouraged to take up jobs during summer holidays as per their interests (govt. provides subsidy to employers), it is now a part of their curriculum and they get grades as per the employer feedback.
The community colleges have to maintain a very high level of industry interface as the course curriculum is prepared in consultation with industry association/s and various industry experts regularly audit the contents to keep them current. The ultimate winners are the students who are exposed to the current and real time issues.
The Ivy League Universities generally cater to those who have interest in academics and research and have displayed their brilliance in UG programs; some programs are very restrictive and offered only by invitation (you cannot apply) to merit holders.
However, the aim of "for profit educational institution" is --- You got that right; "to make profit". I don’t see it as a bad thing at all, because they cannot depend on government grants and donations. It is a hugely popular concept in Americas and unlike their counter parts in India they do deliver on their promises. Anyone who has studied in these institutions or have worked with them can confirm this.
Typically, universities and colleges have to made huge investments in their research and development of teaching methods, curriculum development, faculty training, student activities, industry interface, etc. etc. besides the maintenance of infrastructure so that they can maintain their status as a prestigious institutions desired by students seeking admission.
However, it is not the case in India. The sooner we realize the fact that there aren’t enough jobs in India for all the management and engineering graduates which are adding to the already waiting unemployed / underemployed workforce.
We need to go back to our long forgotten system of polytechnics and training colleges to provide real time hands on training, to enable an individual to become a highly skilled professional or can sustain as a self employed by operating on his own.
With over 50% of population under the age of 25 years, it is imperative that India is going to face more challenges in terms of providing jobs to millions of graduates in the next 10 years. The only way is to think and plan ahead of the time and responsibly act on promoting a culture of skills based education. So that a graduate not only has an opportunity to sustain as a self employed but can also provide jobs to others as an entrepreneur.
Like in Americas, students know this fact and therefore seek enrollment in a Community college diploma program which provides them skills as per their hobbies and interests. Moreover, during their schooling they are encouraged to take up jobs during summer holidays as per their interests (govt. provides subsidy to employers), it is now a part of their curriculum and they get grades as per the employer feedback.
The community colleges have to maintain a very high level of industry interface as the course curriculum is prepared in consultation with industry association/s and various industry experts regularly audit the contents to keep them current. The ultimate winners are the students who are exposed to the current and real time issues.
The Ivy League Universities generally cater to those who have interest in academics and research and have displayed their brilliance in UG programs; some programs are very restrictive and offered only by invitation (you cannot apply) to merit holders.
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