It's more than just applying

The overall trend in the studying-abroad sector got better in 2009 than in the previous one. The number of students going abroad for further studies increased, and the trend saw a slight change, especially regarding the destination country. The largest number of students went to the UK and then the USA. A few opted for other European countries, some to Australia, and Asia. The number of students going to India has remained more or less the same.[break]

Earlier, Australia was the most sought-after country by Nepali students. But the change in its visa policy made it harder for students to go there. The Tier 4 policy implemented by the British government attracted more Nepali students. Compared to 2008, more students went to the US in 2009, which is the most preferred country for students. More than 29,000 students went to America, making Nepal the 11th country for the highest number of students being sent there.

Looking at the current trend of students, the future of study abroad in 2010 will remain the same, with some alterations in the destination countries. Many students are showing interest in Canada, though the visa rate at present is not encouraging for Nepali students. This might change if the students meet the right criteria. There will be more students applying to the colleges in the US. The UK trend would continue in the same rate unless something drastic happens and the UK High Commission changes its policies, which is highly unlikely at the moment. Students are not at all interested to go to Australia at the moment; only those who have close relatives there are applying for colleges there. Instead, many students are ready to go to New Zealand; but like Canada, the visa issuance is a nuisance, and therefore the traffic is very low.

In 2009, there were different challenges for students, educational consultancies, and embassies. For the consultancies, the biggest challenge was to provide the right institutions for the right students and select genuine students who really wanted to go abroad for further studies, and not just go there to work, earn some money or remain absconding.

Many students make late decisions. They should understand that it takes careful planning to go abroad for further studies. The delay by students does not only create anxiety for themselves but for everyone concerned – colleges to send offer and visa letters, educational consultancies to make proper arrangements, embassies to provide application dates, and parents and students to prepare documents properly. So careful planning well in advance helps everyone concerned.

The change in UK visa system has given opportunities to many good students who would otherwise have missed the chance of getting the best of the education.

Here, I must mention that in 2010, the government should make clear guidelines and policies for giving out licenses to run educational consultancies or to cancel the licenses if found working against the policies. At the moment, every Tom, Dick and Harry can open and run educational consultancies. There is no authority they are answerable to.

About two years ago, there were some positive indications that the government would do something about this sector and regulate its haphazard growth. There were talks to form a committee to look into this sector and take appropriate measures. We were quite encouraged, but nothing materialized. But it still is not too late. The government should not neglect this sector where the careers of young Nepalis are at stake. A committee should be formed; it should carefully study the working of this sector and make proper recommendations to the government after which the government can clearly make regulations, policies and guidelines for the educational consultancies in Nepal. This will be beneficial to the government, the sector, and mainly to students and their parents.

This is in no way to discourage new consultancies. But we need to draw a line somewhere to boost this sector and make those in the field more professional.

The consultancies need to render appropriate and accurate services with regards to the recruitment of students, their placement, use of right information about tuition and fees, scholarships, and so on. The issues of work opportunities while still a student and upon graduation are subjects to be discussed further. The job of the consultancy is to provide accurate information concerning the specific nature of the institution to which a student is being admitted and the nature of the academic qualifications. It is also upto the students and parents to be careful about the kind of agency that they go to for counseling, and the colleges they choose. They must make sure that they go to the right place for the right services. There are many genuine consultancies with people who are really providing a great service to Nepalis and the country.

Uttam Prasad Pant is the President of Educational Consultancy Association of Nepal and founder and principal of Universal Language and Computer Institute in Kathmandu. He has been working in the education consultancy and study abroad sector for more than two decades.