Expert warns students against fake' education abroad

KOCHI: In the wake of the expulsion of 25 students from an American university, an overseas education expert has cautioned students on falling into the trap of racketeers. Dr T.P. Sethumadhavan says that education in American universities differs from that in Indian universities in so many ways which include continuous evaluation and hectic assignments.

“It is an eyeopener for students and parents. Without assessing their strength and weaknesses, students should not try for education abroad,” says Dr Sethumadhavan who is also the Director of Entrepreneurship, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU).

“Many agencies come with false promises. Cutting edge technology, continuous monitoring and evaluation, hectic assignments, project works, thrust on skill development, choice-based credit system coupled with increasing cost of living are some of the peculiarities of American  UG education system,” said Dr Sethumadhavan.

“To get admission to a UG programme, students need to complete TOEFL and SAT with desired scores. TOEFL and GRE are required for admission to graduate programmes. While agencies promise to bypass this, some of the fake universities also promise admission. Agencies may give promises like permanent visa, job, etc in the United States,” said Dr Sethumadhavan.

In the recent incident,  25 Indian students in their first semester of computer sciences programme at Western Kentucky University were asked to return to India or find placement in other schools because they did not meet the admission standards of the varsity.

The students had been admitted after a recruitment campaign in India where the recruiters had run advertisements offering ‘spot admission’ to the university as well as tuition fee waiver. With this incident,  the university has altered its international recruitment in India.