Indian students breach great wall

Estimates say China has nearly 2,70,000 international students. As many as 50 Chinese universities accept foreign students, including the Liaoning Medical University, Peking Union Medical College, Peking University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, among others. MD of The Chopras, Natasha Chopra, said seven Chinese universities have featured in the QS Worldwide Top 200 rankings. "This is a confirmation of the quality of academic standards of both teaching and research," Chopra said. Many factors are making Indians look East. According to the MEA report, these include an easy admission system, affordable fee structures and a good standard of facilities. It also helps that the Chinese economy has recorded the highest rate of growth in the world and the opportunities for business are tremendous. "Many Indian families have set up their businesses in China. The two countries are into massive export and import business. Hence, their children are enrolled in higher educational institutions," Chopra added. An aspiring engineer, 18-year-old Mahir Saggar from Amritsar will soon join the China campus of the University of Nottingham. He said, "I chose China over other foreign education hubs because the country is a fast-growing economy and has a lot of potential in terms of employment." Mahir said he is inspired by Chinese engineering. "My family is involved in business -- production of disinfectant products - in China. By studying there, I will have additional domain knowledge," he added. Though the Chinese government reportedly does not encourage work options after foreign students complete their courses, many international universities have opened their campuses there, such as The University of Nottingham and University of North Carolina. Exodus to US slowing down? * The 2012 `Open Doors' survey of international students in the US showed 1,00,270 Indian students there in 2011-12 -- a 3.5% drop from the previous year. The reasons were said to be global and home country economic issues, growing higher education opportunities and job opportunities at home. Simultaneously, the number of students from China shot up from 1,57,558 in 2010-2011 to 1,94,029 in 2011-2012, an increase of 23%. * The Chopras consultancy says Indian student exodus to Australia has picked up by 20%, and to Canada by 15% Isha Jain, April 13, 2013 http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-13/india/38510571_1_indian-students-foreign-students-shanghai-jiao-tong-university