The Telangana government is committed to ensuring a safe and secure study environment for students and plans are afoot to set up an overseas study advisory system to help students make an informed choice, Principal Secretary, Education Bulla Venkatesham said on Thursday.
“We will conduct robust support sessions and also develop a portal where students planning to study abroad can fill up their details to guide them and ensure they do not fall victim to a pernicious system,” he said.
Venkatesham was addressing young students, their parents, education experts from the consulate and bank representatives at the Hindu Education Plus International Education Fair here.
Citing a recent interaction with a consulate fraud investigator as an example, he warned students that certain institutions may be exploiting the education system abroad, in some cases leading to deportation, arrest, humiliation and financial stress for students.
Finding the right university with advanced preparation and a focused approach will help students avoid becoming “guinea pigs” in the system, he advised.
The government’s financial support in the form of about 2,000 overseas scholarships each year is also one way to ensure a safe route to study at overseas universities, he added, and expressed confidence that the number of overseas scholarships would also improve soon.
Venkatesham said the initiative to skill students and educate them abroad for future employment stems from the government’s priority on skilling, which is evident from the recent passage of the Telangana Young India Skill University (Public Private Partnership) Bill, 2024.
“If industry requirements are embedded as modules in the curriculum and skills and practical training are met, skills will make a name for themselves on the global stage and will go a long way in finding the right university. The gap between what the industry demands and what universities offer will be bridged,” he said.
With the world’s largest youth population, skill acquisition, overseas education and employment, Venkatesham succinctly stated, “The old saying was that the sun never sets on the British Empire. We can now say that the sun never sets on India.”
