India doesn’t figure on the list of the world’s top 100 universities, according to a recent survey. In fact, the survey has drawn much criticism in the country because of an allegedly incorrect yardstick used in the assessment. The fact, however, is that India has the knowledge and capacity to become a hub for world education.
To begin with, capable tutors are the backbone of a country’s educational system. Therefore, it is important to recruit conversant and committed faculty for the educational sector.
Also, the time has come for India to prepare and project its cities as safe, hospitable and amenable to world-class practices. For this, it should take strategic steps to improve indicators like basic infrastructure and public transportation.
Besides, the fact that at any given time around 320,000 students going abroad cost the country a staggering outflow of foreign exchange of the order of $9 billion per year should be taken seriously. Thus, the further opening up of elite educational institutions is crucial and will definitely prevent this outflow of resources.
Once India becomes a global hub for education, students would shift their preference from countries like North America, Australia and Singapore to India.
P Senthil Saravana Durai, Hyderabad
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