With several Indian educational institutes bringing programmes offered by foreign universities to the doorsteps of students here, there could be a decrease in the number of those travelling abroad to pursue these courses.
"India is fast emerging as an education market for foreign universities. Now there are about 35 to 40 foreign universities which have collaboration with Indian institutes," says K Pandey, an educational consultant.
Last year, around 40,000 young Indians packed their bags to fulfill their dreams -- 13,000 went to the UK; 17,000 to the US; 6,000 to 8,000 to New Zealand and another 2,000 to Canada.
This figure may come down in coming years as more and more collaborative efforts come into force, feel education experts.
"These programmes are creating an oppurtunity for the children of Indian middle class families to have world class professional education at an affordable price tag," says Professor M P Singh, director, Ansal Institute of Technology.
Cost effectiveness, assured international quality, overseas experience, exposure to a world outside the subcontinent -- all enthuse students here to try what is called twinning programmes.
But what is this twinning programme? It is nothing but transfer of credits from one recognised institute to another. Here a student can attain a degree from a foreign university following their syllabus but studying in India.
In the latter part of her/his course the student also has the opportunity to go to the mother university to complete the course.
Says Andrew Rossiter of the University of Plymouth in the UK, "We have tie-ups with some reputed institutes here and the response is tremendous as it is economically affordable."
As most part of the course is conducted in India, a student can save a lot of money. It is costly in the West but s/he can get the same degree with the same syllabus at a lesser cost here, Rossiter adds.
A 3-year undergraduate course, if pursued in the UK will cost at least Rs 25 lakh, but under the twinning programme it costs nearly Rs 10 lakh to Rs 12 lakh.
It means a quality degree with lesser cost, Rossiter says.
Professor Singh points to another aspect. The time factor, where a student can save years.
"There is flexibility in the duration in which a 4-year degree can be earned in 2 years and 9 months by attending two summer terms," he says.
Pointing to the rigidity of the Indian education system, he says in developed countries like the US and UK, courses and delivery of education are fast changing with time.
Twinning programmes is a new concept in India and it is not very popular but it is slowly picking up momentum, he says.
"The twinning programmes provide a tremendous opportunity for students of academic training through paid internship which exposes her/him to the ethos and work culture prevailing in the Western world," Singh adds.
He is categorical when he says that his institute is not selling an "American Dream" but providing Indian students an opportunity to "expose themselves to the overseas experience and work culture."
Pandey attributes the surge in demand for the twinning programmes from the student community to the "inefficiency" of the Indian education sector to cater the rising demands of students.
"The population is increasing but we cannot cater to the need of students. Even an above average student fails to get into a reputed institute," he points out.
If one can get a recognised degree at an affordable price and it provides him a needed impetus in his career, what is the harm? asks Pandey.
"It all started in 1994. The year saw the improvement of our forex reserves which meant Indians could do transactions with more ease. The per capita income also increased. Salaries went up after the ceiling on salaries were lifted. More middle class people could afford to send their children for foreign degrees."
While post-graduate courses and technology courses have the highest demand under the twinning programme, such programmes in undergraduate courses are also slowly picking up.
"Say after 10 years, there will be more students for these kind of UG courses," predicts Pandey.
If one has to go by the recent situation in Delhi University where even students who passed with flying colours failed to get admission in reputed colleges, it may occur as Pandey predicts.
But Singh has some advice for students. "Be doubly sure about the university you choose," he says
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