Bengaluru, December 25: The ongoing tussle between Indian students and US authorities over the status of two universities in the United States – Silicon Valley University in San Jose and the Northwestern Polytechnic University, has sent shockwaves among Indian students who, like thousands of others, want to go overseas for their higher education. The unprecedented mushrooming of unregulated educational consultancies has only heightened one’s chances of being duped.
However, there are many who prefer to err on the side of caution and firmly believe that the only solution to these concerns is to select universities that feature in the top 100 on lists compiled by agencies like the Times Higher Education, QS Global Rankings and the Department of Higher Education.
Krithika Rau, a B.Tech graduate who has just finished her GRE (Graduate Record Examination), has her eye on a seat in any one of the prestigious graduate schools in the U.S and admits that cases like these make her very nervous.
“I would like to do my masters in any of the prestigious colleges. As my parents are not in a position to pay for my higher studies, I need to opt for scholarships and bank loans. My target is one of the top top 200 institutes. However, when I attend road shows or promotional events, I find that there are a handful of low ranking colleges / universities that come with exciting offers like part-time work opportunities and a work visa. I do not know for sure whether these offers are legal or illegal. Students who cannot foot the hefty expenditure that overseas education incurs will definitely find themselves tempted by offers like these,” she explains.
No concrete data
A common problem that students face as they cross-verify their potential universities is that there isn’t much information available. “Apart from the elite institutes, many colleges around the world admit students through local agents who call themselves overseas education consultants,” said Sharath Bavasare, a mechanical engineer. “These consultants make a lot of tall claims and give false references about past students,” he recalled. “My only suggestion for students is to contact the university or college directly, instead of going through a middleman.”
No registration required for consultants
Officials from the state’s Higher Education Department say there is no specific mechanism or database to vouch for these consultants, who are dime-a-dozen these days. “Students who have been duped can lodge a complaint with local police or the Ministry of External Affairs, which monitors the enrollment of students in foreign countries. If a student spends half an hour on the internet he can get a clear picture about the status of any college anywhere in the world,” said an officer from state higher education department.
Be on the vigil when going abroad!
In recent days, there have been several instances of denial of entry by the US Immigration authorities to Indians who have valid student visas in two educational institutions: namely, Silicon Valley University, San Jose and Northwestern Polytechnic University, Fremont. The Government of India has taken up the matter with the US Government. We have asked the US authorities to explain the reasons for denial of entry on a large scale to Indian students holding valid visas. The response of the US Government is awaited. Till such time the matter is satisfactorily resolved, the students seeking admission in aforementioned two institutions are advised to defer their travel to the United States.
All Indian students seeking admission in universities in the U.S. are advised to exercise due diligence to ensure that the institutions to which they are seeking admission have proper authorization and capacities. Apart from travel documents, the students should also carry all required documentation regarding their study plans, housing, financial support, healthcare arrangements etc. and be prepared for admission (entry to the US) interviews with U.S. immigration officials.
Do’s and don’ts
What is the lure, really, of these small-time universities, many of which are under legal scrutiny? Why not select an institute of some repute instead?
An overseas educational consultant who works as an admission agent for several universities from the US and UK felt that there was something fishy about the latest scam. “Both these universities are not on the list of elite institutes in the US. The majority of the top 100 universities in the world are located in the US. What draws students to the lesser-known institutes?” he questioned.
No students from Bengaluru: “Another interesting aspect to the whole controversy is that no students from Bengaluru have fallen prey to this admission racket. One major reason is the level of awareness among the students,” he said.
No short cuts: Many academicians working as the admission facilitators for overseas colleges feel that students must understand that getting admission in an inferior quality institute is not the best way to secure a student visa. “Banks never extend educational loans for non-recognized institutes. Even if they do complete their education in these places, their career prospects are limited. Also, misusing the student visa may land students in deep trouble in the US,” warns Prof. Ravindra Sheregar, a representative working for a US based college.
Visit the website: According to Mr. Sheregar, the US Higher Education Department’s website is regularly updated and students can get all kinds of information from them. “Students need to check the details of the college/ university he/ she is applying to on the website. It will ensure that incidents like these will not be repeated,” he said.
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