PRALHAD JOSHI (DHARWAD): Some of the universities, in USA, Australia and many other countries are selling their degrees, and without knowing all these things, the students are giving lakhs of rupees to agents. I would like to know whether the government is making any plan to control these agents and educate our students.
VAYALAR RAVI: In Australia, almost 98,000 Indian students are studying, according to the latest information. The number of students studying in Australia four years ago was 14,000. There is a big jump in the figure. Yes, we are proposing some kind of a regulation for voluntary or compulsory registration of students going abroad.
Madam, as of today, we do not have any correct figure as to how many students are going, and we are taking it up very seriously. It is necessary to have the total number of students going to different countries. If necessary, we will come to Parliament with a legislation on this.
Madam, unscrupulous agents have been appointed by different institutions, including various universities.
We would also like to do something here because such agents’ agents are in India. We have no control over them. The agents’ agents, who are here in India, are instigating the students by offering them employment. This is a major problem.
PRALHAD JOSHI (DHARWAD): Madam, my second supplementary is regarding the data bank and the recent racial attacks in Australia. I would like to know whether there is any decline in the number of students going to Australia, USA or any other country after the recent racial attacks. Has the government initiated any diplomatic process with these countries, especially with countries where these racial attacks are continuously going on.
VAYALAR RAVI: The main problem is with Australia. This matter has been taken up at the highest level. Our prime minister has talked to the prime minister of Australia. Already, two delegations from Australia have come here and explained to the government of India this problem. Another delegation is expected to come in a couple of days.
Madam, after our prime minister’s dialogue with the Australian PM, the Australian PM called the Council of Australian government. It is one of the top-most bodies.
It includes six states and two territories. Their prime minister and chief ministers attended the meeting and took some important decisions. One of the decisions they have taken is to take steps to protect the students. Another 11 decisions have been taken. Another important decision has been taken by the Senate. The Senate appointed a committee to look into this matter and submit its report before November 16. The Senate asked this committee to submit its report on the welfare and protection of the students and also on the quality of education given to the students coming to Australia.
I agree with the hon’ble member that there were attacks on the students. Unfortunately, in the initial stage, their police was not effectively acting to book the culprits. Our government intervened and asked the Australian government to take action. Indian media has also made it an issue. Now, their police are very actively taking action against the culprits. A police officer of that government was among the members of the delegation.
Madam, the data bank is necessary to know how many students go and where; and which are those countries. That will not only help us but also the students who are going abroad. The data bank work has only just started and we propose to complete this process by 2010.
ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJI (SHIRUR): According to the reply of the hon’ble minister, there are 2,64,000 students studying abroad, out of which 2,33,500 students are studying only in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and USA. I would like to know from the hon’ble minister whether the government is trying to compute any data of how much expenses the Indian students are incurring on their education abroad.
What are the outgoing expenses from India to these four countries or abroad?
VAYALAR RAVI: It is true, according to our account, that approximately 2,64,000 students are studying abroad. On an average, if we take $20,000 per year per student, the total amount for all the students would be more than $5.5 billion. It is an average.
Excerpts from Question Hour in the Lok Sabha, 15 July 2009, New Delhi. Vayalar Ravi is the minister for Overseas Indian Affairs. Pralhad Joshi is BJP’s MP from Dharwad North constituency of Karnataka
