Covid 19 Crisis: International Transfer Programs Are The Perfect Path For Education Abroad
In today’s world, where countries are focusing on their core strengths and consolidating their respective positions in this perpetual global supply-chain of product and service delivery, education in a good university abroad could provide an invaluable impetus to all the aspiring students who aim to make a difference. And it is this reason why there is a growing demand for international exposure through education across the world. In 2014, 5 million students study abroad every year and this number is estimated to touch 8 million by 2025. The number of students aspiring for higher education abroad has been growing year on year.
However, in 2020, the Covid 19 outbreak has severly impacted the plans of thousands of students who aspire for higher education abroad. The universities’ classes, the VISA regulations, the work options etc. seemed to be uncertain at this time and the students are mentally stranded as to how to plan their way forward.
The Covid-19 crisis is adversely impacting thousands of students who have made plans of studying abroad in the academic year 2019-20. It is important for these students to have a plan-B, an alternative, to ensure that they minimize the damage that is being inflicted upon them. Some students have deferred their admission to the next intake which begins usually in January/February next year. Also, there are students who are looking at alternatives like transfer programs where they can study in India for now, and then eventually go abroad and complete their degree there. Overall, it is important for students to not compromise on their aspirations and build their alternatives accordingly. This crisis shall over sooner or later but it is the aspirations that are long-term and these aspirations help the students shape their careers and lives going forward. With the outbreak of Corona around the world, the hope and dream of many aspiring students have been halted and impacted considerably. Last year, over 7.5 lakh Indian students opted to study at universities abroad with US, Canada, Australia remaining the top aspirational destinations followed by UK and Germany. For the academic year starting August-September, students should have ideally started Visa applications that have come to a grinding halt at present.
International Transfer Programs, where a student studies in his home country for 1/2 years and in a university abroad for the next 2/3 years are a viable alternative for Study Abroad Aspirants. Today, in India, transfer programs are available in Engineering, Medicine, Business and other courses. Over 6000 thousands have enquired and have shown interest for various International Transfer Programs in India. Engineering Transfer Program is the most popular program where the students study 2 years in India and 2 years abroad. This program is being offered by ICAS, MAHE where the student can choose to study from one of the 38 MAHE’s partner universities or any other university that accepts ICAS, MAHE’s credits. A student can choose a country in USA, UK, Canada, Europe, Australia, UAE or Malaysia.
It is only fair to say that the institutes and universities globally are also fighting the same battle and they are extending their support to co-operate with the students. We have seen online video classes and assessments take the front-seat. Most of the universities have also eased up their processes of deferment and they are also in constant touch with the applicants providing them the much-needed reassurance during these times.
