Chandigarh, Sept 19 : Foreign academic institutions are lining up to encourage Punjabi students to study abroad.

New Zealand, regarded as a key global destination for higher education, is looking to India to attract prospective students.

Recently, Richar Lee, Academic Director of the National Institute of Studies in New Zealand, was in Chandigarh to counsel and guide students wanting to study in New Zealand.

“We emphasise more on our IT courses because it is one area in which New Zealand lacks talent. Here in seminars we also introduce students to our various business diploma courses. Our business courses are practical and more applied based,” said Lee.

New Zealand is optimistic that admissions from India will go up from 2,600 last year to 7,000 this year.

“Students want to go to New Zealand for education because they can work there on part time basis. During summer vacations they can also work on a full time basis and thus can save a good amount,” said G. S. Kang, CEO of Westhinghlander Immigration Consultancy, Chandigarh.

“After their education they can stay back for one full year and can work. Thus they can cover all their investments and their education becomes almost free in a way. Later they have an opportunity to get permanent residency, giving them all the facilities which a native of New Zealand gets,” added Kang.

Manisha, an aspiring student, said: “If you study in India and then go abroad for a job then you might not be having the desired experience. But if you study abroad then come to India and apply for jobs you would be benefited from the international exposure you get.”

A foreign degree is a stamp of excellence in a highly competitive world. It broadens the horizons and exposes an individual to a variety of perspectives, the latest technology, and state-of-the-art research and training.

Aspirant students in Punjab are conferring with education consultants to pick the best-suited education destinations.

“If you look at the top five English-speaking nations, which are into international students recruitment such as Australia, UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand; India is one of the top five-source country for all of them. In America India appears to be number one source country. In all other four countries China takes the lead. China is changing their education system. But people from India are going abroad for different qualifications. It''s a very lucrative market and that''s why we are interested in this market,” said Naresh Gulati, CEO of Oceanic Consultants.

The Punjab Technical University in Jalandhar is all set to collaborate with leading universities and colleges in the US and Australia to help Indian students pursue their studies abroad.

With the globalization of education, the avenues in education have widened. Besides New Zealand, countries like Australia, United Kingdom, Singapore and others are also trying to get Indian students to join their institutions and universities. The overwhelming response at international education fairs in Punjab is a clear indication of the Punjabi obsession for studying abroad. (ANI)