B. Com. II Article 2

Higher education: A pathway to economic development

Detailed Questions and Answers:

Q1: Why is India a significant source of international students?

A: India is the second-largest source country for international students, after China.

• In 2019, 10.9 lakh Indian students were enrolled in international universities, marking a 45% increase from 2018.

• By 2017, an estimated 586,183 Indian students were studying in 86 countries, with the majority in the US, Canada, and Australia.

• This trend reflects the preference of Indian students for quality higher education and opportunities abroad.

Q2: How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted Indian students studying abroad?

A: The pandemic disrupted study plans for Indian students due to travel restrictions and safety concerns.

• However, 91% of Indian students expressed interest in studying abroad despite the risks.

• Countries like the UK adapted by introducing measures like a two-year post-study work visa and accepting alternative English proficiency tests.

Q3: What challenges does India face in reversing the brain drain?

A: India struggles with a counter-flow of foreign students into its education system:

• While millions of Indian students study abroad, only 47,427 foreign students were enrolled in India in 2018-19.

• India’s domestic universities fail to compete with international institutions in quality, funding, and opportunities.

• The revenue loss from Indian students studying abroad is substantial (e.g., US$ 7.69 billion contributed to the US economy in 2019).

Q4: What initiatives has India undertaken to attract foreign students?

A:

1. Study in India Programme:

   • Over three years, it attracted 7,500 foreign students but is far from the target of 200,000 students.

2. National Education Policy (NEP) 2020:

   • Opened higher education to foreign universities.

   • Focused on overhauling curriculums and improving research orientation.

Q5: What are the key highlights of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020?

A:

1. Undergraduate Program Changes: Reintroduced a four-year multidisciplinary program with multiple exit options (certificate, diploma, or degree).

2. Foreign Universities: Allowed foreign institutions to set up campuses in India.

3. Curriculum Reform: Emphasized critical and experimental thinking.

4. Education in Mother Tongue: Stressed teaching up to class 5 in regional languages for better concept clarity.

5. Structural Changes: Reformed the school education system from the 10+2 model to a 5+3+3+4 structure.

6. Research Promotion: Proposed establishing a National Research Foundation.

Q6: What measures are needed to make India a global education hub?

A:

1. Regulation for Foreign Universities: Create clear rules for foreign campuses in India.

2. Improved Faculty-to-Student Ratio: Align ratios with international standards to enhance class interaction and learning.

3. Global Faculty: Invite experienced international educators to teach in India.

4. Livelihood Opportunities: Create jobs for students to apply their skills post-education.

5. Focus on Research: Develop expertise in futuristic technologies like AI, machine learning, and cybersecurity.

Q7: How do Indian students contribute to foreign economies?

A: Indian students significantly boost the economies of their host countries:

• In 2019, Indian students contributed:

  • US: US$ 7.69 billion.

  • Canada: US$ 22 billion.

  • Australia: US$ 5.5 billion.
    This highlights the financial and talent loss for India due to brain drain.

Q8: What strategies can India adopt to compete with global education systems?

A:

1. Enhanced Research Orientation: Invest in R&D for technologies like Industry 4.0, AI, and machine learning to attract students.

2. Job-Oriented Education: Link education with employability to ensure students can use their skills.

3. Infrastructure Expansion: Allow more Indian institutions to join the Study in India programme.

4. Global Standards: Improve faculty expertise, curriculum design, and research output to match international benchmarks.

Q9: What is the current state of foreign student enrollment in India?

A:

• Foreign student enrollment has been stagnant over the past four years.

• In 2018-19, only 47,427 foreign students pursued higher education in India, as per AISHE data.
  This is far below the target of 200,000 and lags significantly behind countries like the US, which attracted over 1 million students in 2017-18.

Q10: Why is it important for India to build a robust education ecosystem?

A: A strong education system is essential for:

• Reducing brain drain and retaining talent.

• Attracting foreign students to boost revenue and global reputation.

• Enhancing domestic capabilities in knowledge and technology, which are critical for economic development.

• Competing with developed nations in research and innovation.