S. Vishnu Sharma
Foreign degrees, Studying abroad is an option one would seldom miss for the greener pastures it can bring into our life. However, experts in the field of higher education caution those aspiring to go to foreign lands for higher learning. Not all degree courses offered abroad are recognized in India.
Candidates considering studying abroad must exercise due caution while opting for courses that are of short duration than the ones in our country. Care also has to be careful while choosing courses that are offered in the online mode also, say experts.
Foreign degrees
Even before an aspirant decides his study destination, wise thing to do would be to think over weather the course he or she chooses would get due importance in India or not when it comes to applying for higher studies or for employment.
Foreign degrees – Fast-track degree programmers offered by universities abroad are an ideal example in this regard. Degree programmers that can be completed in two year’s time or time less than the usual duration can be called fast track degrees. Candidates choosing these degree programmers must be careful as they are not recognized in India.
Similarly, care should be exercised about degrees being offered by offshore units of universities abroad. Degrees obtained from offshore campuses will stand recognized if the campus has due approval by the competent authorities in that nation.
Thankfully there is a ray of hope in form of Association of Indian Universities (AIU). Students can obtain know about validity of foreign universities and the courses offered abroad.
Association of Indian Universities (AIU)
AIU is an organisation and association of major universities in India and is based in Delhi. It evaluates the courses, syllabi, standards, and credits of foreign Universities pursued abroad and equates them in relation to various courses offered by Indian Universities.
Accreditation status of foreign universities can be obtained from publications namely ‘Commonwealth Universities Yearbook (ACU Publication),’ ‘International Handbook of Universities and World List of Universities (published by International Association of Universities, Paris, France)’ and ‘Accredited Institutions of Post Secondary Education in USA (An American Council on Education Publication).’
The places to refer the above publications are ‘AIU Library (http://www.aiu.ac.in ), ‘British Council Library (http://www1.britishcouncil.
Recognition status about degrees awarded by foreign universities in the field of health sciences can be known from sources namely ‘Medical Council of India (http://www.mciindia.org ),’ ‘Dental Council of India (http://www.medistudies.com),’ ‘Pharmacy Council of India (http://www.pci.inc.in),’ ‘ Central Council for Homoeopathy (https://www.cchindia.com/),’ ‘Central Council for Indian Medicines (https://www.ccimindia.org/).’