A partnership for progress

Updated on: Tuesday, November 30, 2010

The partnership in higher education with the United Kingdom may well define India's next cycle of innovation, research and collaboration towards progress.

After educating the leaders of India of the 20th century, the United Kingdom lost its place to the United States as the most favoured destination for students. Realising that Australia, Canada, and other European nations are vying for the Indian higher education market that offers huge opportunities, the UK knows that it can't rest on its laurels forever.

The stiff competition from other western markets has ensured that India has a special place in the higher education blueprint of the United Kingdom. According to the British Council, there has been an increase from 40 educational agents representing UK education in 1999 to 290 in 2007 with over 70 per cent of students going to the UK in 2006 / 2007 using their services. About 13 UK universities have opened regional offices in India.

The 1,000-odd visitors who made a beeline to the fifth edition of the Education UK Exhibition held in Coimbatore on November 25 and 26 stood testimony to the fact that the enthusiasm for studying in the UK remains high. As many as 25 universities had put up stalls in the expo organised by the British Council. Representatives from each of these institutions were present to interact with prospective students.

Susan O'Neill, the spokesperson for the universities, said the one-year Taught Master's postgraduate degree programme, practical-based courses, classes handled by qualified teachers with strong research background, industry-academia linkages, institutional scholarships and other value-additions, were attractions that drew international students to U.K. universities.

Pointing out the recent trend among the students applying for the courses, she said the students who attended the fairs came for “confirmation” rather than for “information.” The expo also included seminars that highlighted issues that were peculiar to international students studying in the UK. For instance, Indian students were accustomed to an examination system where the assessment was based on how well they reproduced what they had studied in a textbook. This system did not work in UK universities, she said.

L. Dhanasekaran, Head, Education U.K. (South India), British Council, Chennai, said the response was more for the PG courses. “The favourite course continues to be MBA, followed by engineering and information technology. There is also a heightened interest in applied sciences like biotechnology, nanoscience, bioinformatics, and paramedical courses.”

Point-based system for visa

Addressing participants, Ewan Cunningham, Entry Clearance Officer, U.K. Border Agency, British Deputy Commission, Chennai, said students would be eligible to apply for tier 4 visa under the point-based system. This was a transparent system that helped genuine students get visas easily.

“Students require 40 points to secure a visa. Thirty points come from the admission letter sent by the institution (it should possess a licence to admit international students) and the rest depend on the bank document proof for fee payment. There is no interview or any other kind of formality.”

“UK is in the process of creating an environment to attract young students. The number of scholarships to Indian students is increasing. The British companies also understand that they stand to benefit in the long run,” says Navi Radjou, executive director, Centre for India & Global Business, Cambridge Judge Business School.

A careful reading of the statements made by David Willets, the British Minister for Universities, who has visited the country twice in the past six months, reveals that partnerships between top Indian and UK universities could well be a regular feature in the coming years.

Britain has also evinced keen interest in actively assisting India's Innovation Universities. And unlike before, this cycle of partnership will be on equal terms with contribution from both countries.

For further information on education in the UK, interested persons can attend briefings held every Friday at British Council, Chennai, at 4 p.m. or visit www.educationuk-in.org.

A partnership for progress

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