50% drop in inquiries from state for medical seats in univs abroad

50% drop in inquiries from state for medical seats in univs abroad

Covid-Induced Financial Crisis, Travel Restrictions Are Reasons For Less Interest

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:21.12.2020

Every year in Tamil Nadu, after the first round of medical counselling, students rush to book a seat in foreign universities. This year, delayed medical counselling, the Covid-induced financial crisis and travel restrictions have brought down the number of inquiries for study abroad.

With NEET 2021 only a few months away, many students have begun cancelling admissions to give the entrance test another try.

The number of inquiries for medical admissions has come down by more than 50% in most countries, educational consultants said. R Sureshkumar, managing director of Chennai-based Truematics - Overseas Education Consultancy, said only students with low NEET scores have confirmed admissions.

Countries like the Philippines and Ukraine have another admission window in January.

Many consultancies have opted out of doing admissions to universities in China, which was one of the top destinations for Indian students, due to travel restrictions.

A Mahendran, managing director of Foreign Students Study Centre in Trichy, said there was still no clarity over when the flight services and physical classes would resume. “It discourages students and parents. Despite the still raging Covid-19 pandemic, students are still interested in studying medicine in China due to the quality of medical education offered and the lower cost,” he said. Last year, the Medical Council of India (MCI) approved 45 universities in China.

D Subhas Chandrabose, managing director of St John’s Educare India Private Limited, said many students wanted to give another try, with NEET 2021 only six months away.

“Due to online classes and travel restrictions, we are also experiencing cancellations of admissions,” he said, adding that his consultancy was guiding students seeking admissions to universities in Philippines, Jamaica and Kazakhstan.

However, there is not a big change in the admission trend to Russian universities.

“Since more students have cleared NEET, we expected admissions to increase two-fold. But there is only a slight increase in admissions to Russian universities compared to last year,” said C Ravichandran, managing director, Study Abroad Educational Consultants.

While deemed universities in India charge between ₹1 crore and ₹1.25 crore, it would cost around ₹35 lakh in several foreign universities, with institutions in countries like Malaysia charging around ₹80 lakh.