38% rise in Indian students going to US

CHENNAI/MUMBAI: America continues to grow in stature as the most-favored
destination for Indian students with the last seven months showing a 38% increase in the number of candidates going there.
What's more, Chennai seems to be one of the largest exporters in the country.
Sample this: 38,274 student visas were issued from across the country in fiscal year 2006-07 (October 2006 to September 2007), of which the Chennai consulate gave out 19,973.
Correspondingly, between October 2007 and April 2008, 50,316 student visas were issued from across the country, of which the Chennai consulate alone accounted for 24,975.
With a rising middle class in India able to afford American university programmes and schools actively recruiting them, Indians have become the largest group of international students in the US.
Experts point that the increase in the flow of Indian students could also be reasoned to America now accepting the three-year bachelor degree programme as a valid one for entry to their graduate schools. [View Full Article]

Singapore, Hong Kong favoured destinations for MBA aspirants

While opting to pursue management studies continues to be a popular trend among Indian students, the destinations where one can acquire a management degree are, thankfully, multiplying by the day.

Today, besides the much-sought-after B-Schools in the US and the UK, countries such as Singapore, Dubai and Hong Kong too, are becoming favoured destinations for aspiring management graduates, with an increasing number of reputed institutes setting up their campuses in these countries.
……. "In 2007, there were over 86,000 students of 120 nationalities in Singapore, an increase of 7.5 per cent over the preceding year. India today, contributes the fourth largest number of international students in Singapore." [View Full Article]

Canada relaxes work permit rules

For students aspiring to take up post graduate studies at Canada and getting a work permit subsequently, there is good news. International students will now be able to obtain an open work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Programme, with no restrictions on the type of employment and no requirement for a job offer.
The duration of the work permit has also been extended to three years across the country. Earlier, the programme allowed international students to work either for a year or for two years, depending on location. The move comes as major incentive for Indian students, especially those who have started looking beyond the UK, US and Australia for education.………….."The increased flexibility offered by the expanded programme will benefit graduates and employers. It will help international students get important work experience while responding to Canada's labour market needs," said the spokesperson. [View Full Article]

More Indian students at U.S. colleges

…….. With a rising middle class back home better able to finance American university degrees and schools actively recruiting them, Indians have become the largest group of international students in the United States. Students from India numbered more than 83,000 last year and have doubled their presence at U.S. campuses in the last decade. The increased enrollment from India reflects a shortage of space in graduate programs in India, as well as the relaxation of some of the strict procedures to obtain a student visa imposed after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Indians enroll at U.S. schools for the expected rewards. [View Full Article]

‘Canada must attract India’s Student Class’

Canada has become an increasingly popular destination for foreign students, particularly due to changes to work permits for international students studying at a Canadian institution. But some countries are feeling ignored. It is estimated that that over 60 000 international students came to Canada last year and this year these numbers are set to grow. Despite this it seems that the Canadian government have not yet tapped into the highly sought after Indian market. India is a great source of skilled immigration, especially in Canada, but the number of Indians coming to Canada to study is still low. Indian High Commissioner RL Narayan, in a speech arranged by the Canada-India Business Council, said that student visas should be fast tracked, in order for Canadian institutions to attract Indians. Yes Canada aims to attract as many bright and talented students as possible in order for them to gain skilled labor but, according to Narayan, it is the Indian young talent that should be focused upon. [View Full Article]