For the first time, the prestigious IITs are likely to hold their entrance tests in Singapore, UAE, Ethiopia and Saarc nations from 2017 to select foreign students for undergraduate and postgraduate c
For the first time, the prestigious IITs are likely to hold their entrance tests in Singapore, UAE, Ethiopia and Saarc nations from 2017 to select foreign students for undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
Sources stated that in the first phase the government has shortlisted eight countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka (all Saarc member nations), Ethiopia in Africa, Singapore and Dubai (UAE), for holding entrance tests for foreign nationals from next year onwards. The decision was taken at a recent meeting between officials of Union human resource development and external affairs ministries, sources added.
“The entrance tests to the IITs abroad have been held till now only to admit Indian nationals. This is for the first time that it has been planned to admit foreign students through tests held abroad. It is aimed that the plan would be operationalised from the JEE / GATE exams to be conducted in 2017,” sources said.
Students will be selected through a common entrance exam which would be administered by the IIT with the help of Indian missions in these countries. However, sources said that the seats offered to foreign nationals would be supernumerary or additional in nature and would not reduce those available to Indian nationals at the 18 IITs. The fee applicable in the case of foreign students will also be more as the subsidised fee which Indians pay would not be applicable to them.
It is understood that in an effort to facilitate entry of foreign students, the MEA will consider giving them a research visa for the duration of the programme rather than one year at a time. The outreach programme for the exercise would begin from August this year and will be conducted in all these eight countries. IIT Mumbai has been asked to prepare the necessary information material for this outreach. It would include details of the tests, the courses and FAQs. A web portal may be created for this purpose, sources said. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations will be the nodal agency on behalf of the MEA for these tests. Earlier, IIT-M director had prepared a report on a comprehensive system to attract international students to the IITs. After the report was prepared, Mr Khakhar was asked to prepare a detailed plan for conducting JEE and GATE exams abroad. It is learnt that the government is keen on more foreign students studying at IITs as it could boost their international academic rankings.
