Indian students now study abroad more than ever before: Does this encourage the brain drain?

Leading study abroad advisors have informed Economic Times that this fall, more Indian students are going abroad to study than ever before.

Read more: Brazil offered its ethanol producing technology with India to combat shortage of sugar stock

According to the research, this is the consequence of several factors, such as an increase in candidates from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and increased desires for a foreign education and profession. Additionally, this occurs as international organisations focus more on India by providing more financial aid and scholarships.

According to the data, the record-breaking increase in Indian students applying to study abroad coincides with a decline in Chinese student applications.

Some advisors have added that enrollment for the autumn semester has quadrupled compared to last year; while others have noted that many students are enrolling from Tier 2–3 cities.

The competition for skills from India has multiplied since the pandemic, thus bursaries and financial aid have increased as well, study abroad site Leverage Edu CEO Akshay Chaturvedi said ET.

Around 25-30% of students in the US have come from Tier 2 or Tier 3 cities

Piyush Kumar, regional director for South Asia and Mauritius at IDP Education, told ET about the numbers of Indian students coming to the US this autumn: "This year has been phenomenal; the number of students has increased, and perhaps more than pre-pandemic year. Around 25 to 30 percent of students in the US have come from Tier 2 or Tier 3 cities.

Adarsh Khandelwal, CEO of Collegify, stated to ET that "the number of students going for the autumn session has increased by twofold since last year."

A different consultant Sumeet Jain, a co-founder of the study abroad advisory firm Yocket, told the newspaper numerous colleges have turned their attention to India as China's numbers have declined. There are now significantly more Indian students.

A student visa fee increase and a visitor or tourist visa fee increase will take effect on October 4 under the leadership of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. For visitors from all over the world, including Indians, the cost of a UK tourist visa for less than six months will go up by £1,543 (£ 15), while the cost of a UK student visa would go up by £13,070 (£127).

France's aim to accept 30,000 Indian students by the year 2030

The goal of France to accept 30,000 Indian students by the year 2030, according to a statement made last month, is to promote academic achievement, strengthen ties between the two countries' cultures, and deepen their friendship. On the occasion of PM Modi's trip to Paris, it has unveiled significant new steps to extend the "red carpet" to Indian students and alumni. The French Institute and the Embassy announced the upcoming "Choose France Tour 2023" in response to the campaign.

Four significant Indian cities will hold the education fair: Chennai (October 8), Calcutta (October 11), Delhi (October 13), and Mumbai (October 15). It will be organised by the French government and Campus France. According to the embassy, it will give Indian students and their parents a fantastic opportunity to speak with representatives from the more than 40 French higher education institutions that will be present at the exhibition and explore a variety of study alternatives.

It was announced earlier this month that the Canada student visa process would undergo significant changes. According to a source, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) intend to revamp its student visa program's Trusted Institution structure by 2024. A comprehensive initiative to modernise the International Student Programme (ISP) run by the IRCC includes this framework as a significant element.

What is brain drain?

People moving from one location to another is known as brain drain, as was previously mentioned. Between nations and locations where they can find greater possibilities, there is frequently a brain drain. They might relocate in search of employment or a higher standard of living. Brain drain is another term for professionals leaving one company or industry for another in search of higher income or career possibilities.

There are two main ways that these people's departure damages the areas they leave behind: Each emigrant loses knowledge, which reduces the pool of available professionals in that field.

Because each expert represents surplus spending units, the (country's) economy is hurt. Since professionals sometimes make high wages, their departure lowers consumer spending in that area or the nation as a whole.

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