Higher Education Digest - Abroad Consultancy Special

INDIA EDITION Connecta

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3RDiConsulting:

Your Trusted Study Abroad Consultant in Town Internationalisation Agenda is Important for Universities in India Iain Clacher, Pro Dean International, University of Leeds, UK.

Why Makes Upskilling a Mandatory Process?

Ajit K. Chauhan, Chairman, Amity Online, Amity Skills & Vocational Training

OCTOBER 2019

How to Find Your ‘Guru’ in the Digital World?

Minal, Founder and CEO, GuruQ

Good news for Indian students planning to study in the UK! The two-year post-study work visa is back!

Rohit Sethi, Director, ESS Global-Study Abroad Consultant

Kavitta Mehtta, Founder

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Higher Education Digest October 2019

Connecta

October 2019

Vol - 1 Issue - 8

Study Abroad Consultants Special (India Edition) Editor in Chief

Dr. Manoj Varghese

Managing Editor Sarath Shyam

Consultant Editors

Dr. Johny Andrews Anjana K Shyam S

Jessica Jo Stanly Lui Emma James

Editorial Enquiry: editor@highereducationdigest.com

Art and Design Ajay K Das

Sales & Marketing

Rahul Visakh Prathyoosh K Shaji

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Divya M Milan Bharati

Sales Enquiry: sales@highereducationdigest.com

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Higher Education Digest October March 2019 2019

EDITOR IN CHIEF’S NOTE

The Gateway to Your International Dreams

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hoosing to study away from your home country is one of the most rewarding decisions you will ever make in your life, as it will benefit you in ways beyond your imagination and expectations. It might be an expensive decision. However, going abroad for education will offer you an opportunity to discover a unique diversified culture, make lifelong friendships and connections, and receive an education that goes a long way in your holistic development. Apparently, the globally mobile student population increases around 8 percent every year and it is estimated that the number of international students will become more than 8 million worldwide by 2025, from 5 million in 2016.

Today, many universities worldwide are offering courses for international students and competing for global talent. Indian students remain the second largest consumers of these universities. As per the data shared by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, there are an estimated 5.86 lacs Indian students studying in 86 different

countries as on December 2017. Among them, more than 66 percent prefer to stay in the USA, Canada, and Australia. However, in recent times, Southeast Asian Countries, New Zealand, Germany, Ireland, France and a few other European countries are also emerging as popular study destinations for Indian students seeking quality education.

Although, there is an abundance of information available on the internet about overseas educational institutions with provisions of applying online, the main channel in India, by far, is study abroad consultants, with 44 percent of all students using them to apply to international universities. In this issue, we have identified ’10 Must-Watch Study Abroad Consultants for Indian Students,’ which are offering excellent counselling and supports to the global education aspirants. We believe that our efforts will help the young Indians who are in search of quality overseas education opportunities.

Happy Reading.

Dr. Manoj Varghese

Higher Education Digest October 2019

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ADVISORY BOARD

Dr. Ajay Shukla, Ph.D, MBA, BE. Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Higher Education UAE

Dr. Kuldeep Nagi, Ph.D, MBA, BSc. Program Director of Ph.D, Recipient of Fulbright Fellowship Award & Dan Evans Award for Excellence and Writer columnist.

Dr.Varughese K.John, PhD, MBA, MPhil, MCom, LLB. Researcher and Data Analyst in Social Science

6 Mr. Sreedhar Bevara, MBA, B.Com Senior General Manager: Panasonic Middle East & Africa, Thought Leader, Speaker & Author of ‘Moment of Signal’ (Amazon’s International Bestseller)

Mr. Amulya Sah, PGD PM & IR, PG Diploma in PM&IR (XISS Ranchi) Senior Director HR. Head HR group Samsung R&D Institute India,Transformative HR Leader, Change agent, Digitization facilitator, Engagement architect, Trainer and Diversity champion.

Major General (Rtd.) Dr. Sunil Chandra, VSM (Vishishta Seva Medal), Ph.D, M. Phil, MA, M.Ed, PGBDA Ex-M D Army Welfare Education Society, ExCOO GEMS Education - India, Ex- Addl Dir Gen - Army Education, Mentor - Adventure-Pulse

Asst. Prof. Dr. Suramya Mathai, Ph.D,M.Ed,MA,BA. Teachers Training Expert, Writer, Author, Speaker & Social Worker

Higher Education Digest October 2019

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Higher Education Digest October 2019

MANAGING EDITOR’S NOTE

In Search of Greener Pastures

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taying close to home, spending time with the people who are known to you, and not to seek out changes in your life are easy affairs.

Anybody can do it. On the other side, deciding to go abroad for studies is a risky business and it is not everyone’s cup of tea. Six years ago, when Aravind packed his bags to set travel on the furthest and longest from home he had ever been, he knew that he is going to have a tough time. He had never lived in a place where he did not speak the language, and he had never been away from home for more than three months.

There is no doubt that stepping on to that flight at Cochin International Airport was one of the most exciting and at the same time most frightening moments of his life, even to this day. But, two years in New Zealand changed Arvind’s life forever. More than a bright career, it gave him a new perspective on the world, helped him develop new passions, and taught him more about himself than he could have imagined.

Like Aravind, every year, millions of students across the globe leave their homes in search

of greener pastures. Certainly, a majority of them come back with a rewarding career and unforgettable memories. As per the government data, over 5.86 lakhs Indian students are studying abroad and they are spread across 86 countries around the world. With many more students are ready to take up this life-enriching step, the number is likely to increase in the coming years.

In this issue, we have come up with “10 Must-Watch Study Abroad Consultants for Indian Students” who provide high-quality and trustworthy guidance to the students to reach the best possible academic heights based on their academic and financial requirements in the best universities across the globe. On the cover, we feature, 3RDiConsulting, which has been counseling students for further studies in India and abroad, helping them with the entire process right from selecting the course, country and university to the whole application process and decision making till the visa approval.

Enjoy Reading.

Sarath Shyam

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COVER STORY

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CONTENTS

3RDiConsulting:

34 - 36 GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES: CREATING SUCCESSFUL GLOBAL GRADUATES

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MOST PREFERRED EDUCATION LOAN PROVIDER

42 - 45 AUXILO FINSERVE: ENABLING THE FREEDOM OF FINANCIAL ACCESS

Higher Education Digest October 2019

Your Trusted Study Abroad Consultant in Town

INDUSTRY PERCPECTIVE

MENTOR’S MANTRA

12 - 15 Internationalisation Agenda is Important for Universities in India Iain Clacher, Pro Dean International, University of Leeds, UK.

26 - 29 How to Find Your ‘Guru’ in the Digital World?

Minal, Founder and CEO, GuruQ

COUNSELLOR’S TAKE

ACADEMIC VIEW

38 - 40 What Makes Upskilling a Mandatory Process?

Ajit K. Chauhan, Chairman, Amity Online & Amity Future Academy

46 Good news for Indian students planning to study in the UK! The two-year post-study work visa is back!

Rohit Sethi, Director, ESS Global-Study AbroadHigher Consultant Education Digest October 2019

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MENTOR’S MANTRA

Internationalisation Agenda is Important for Universities in

India

Iain Clacher, Pro Dean International at University of Leeds, UK.

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Iain Clacher is an Associate Professor in Accounting and Finance, and Pro Dean International at University of Leeds, UK. He is an expert on pensions and retirement saving and his work covers retirement decision making, pension fund investment, infrastructure investing, sustainable pension systems, trustee governance, and fund management costs and fees. He is regularly invited to speak at a wide range of leading forums, as well as presenting at national and international conferences, and he is a regular commentator in the media both on his own work and across all areas of business and economics.

In an exclusive interaction with Higher Education Digest, Clacher talks about his views about Indian universities, education in the UK and many more.

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● What is your opinion about the Indian education system and talent available here?

Having recently returned from visiting India I am very enthusiastic about the Indian education system and the talent of the students in the region.

It is clear that the Indian education system is creating exceptional graduates and producing world class research. The internationalisation agenda is clearly important for Universities in India, as it is for us at the University of Leeds. I am delighted that my colleagues at Leeds University Business School (LUBS) are researching with high quality academic colleagues in India. Indeed, during my visit, we signed a new agreement with IIM Calcutta and will be working on further collaborations that we believe will be mutually beneficial and enhance the standing of both LUBS and that of our partner institutions.

Having welcomed students from India for many years, we are well aware of their talent.

We are keen to increase the number of highquality students we welcome from India. They form an important and growing part of our diverse student population. We have also seen many of our Indian graduates go on to develop successful careers both in India and across the world. ● As the Pro Dean for International at University of Leeds, what is your take on the major dif-ferences between Indian education system and global studies? What should be the focus of Indian educators to reach the global standards of education?

I believe it is a great time of opportunity for Universities in India. With the upcoming new education strategy from the Indian government and the increasing internationalisation targets, there are some interesting changes on the horizon. In the UK we are in a fortunate position to have many world class Universities, and the University of Leeds we are proud to be ranked in the top 100 universities in the World according to the 2020 QS Rankings. India

Higher Education Digest October 2019

should be working towards getting more of its Universities in the world’s top 200, and I can see this being very possible with strength and growing reputation of Universities across the country.

As part of growing this, research output with international collaborators is an important factor to further enhance the reputation of Indian Universities. This is also a key focus of global universities, and at the University of Leeds over 50% of our research is undertaken with partners from outside of the UK. This has helped us to a ranking of top 10 for research in the UK from the last Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014). ● With ever more business seeking to expand their operations across the borders, there is a rising demand for business graduates with global mindset. At present, what are the biggest opportunities and challenges in the international business education sector?

A key challenge in developing a global mindset is being able to undertake international opportunities that give that global experience.

At Leeds we have been expanding these opportunities through year in industry placements and study abroad opportunities at UG, and international study tours that combine lectures and company visits at PG. More recently, the return of the 2-year post study work visa in the UK means that students will now have to the opportunity to work in the UK after graduation. Such international work experience is key to developing a global career whether that takes graduates on to further international work or if that experience is brought back to India. ● UoL is recently named no 1 in the UK for Accounting and Finance. What are opportunities for Indian students in Accounting and Finance at UoL? We are very proud of our number 1 ranking for Accounting and Finance. We offer a range of options for Indian students, from undergraduate

through to masters and research degrees. In our Accounting division, we offer a range of degrees covering topics including Accounting, Finance, Actuarial Finance, Banking, Investment, Financial Risk Management and Financial Mathematics. As well as receiving excellent preparation for a career in a specific area of study, students will develop a strong base of knowledge and skills that will put them in a strong position to undertake exciting careers across business and management and financial services. It is also the other opportunities that are important in addition to the quality of the education such as the business societies that are run in the Union, the potential to set up a business through the SPARK programme, our access to employers, and the innovative and through provoking talks by industry leaders and experts.

With the upcoming new education strategy from the Indian government and the increasing internationalisation targets, there are some interesting changes on the horizon

â—? Many Indian students go abroad each year for higher education in various educational insti-tutes all over the world.

Can you share us an integral know-how on a student’s life abroad, especially in the UK? What are the pros and cons?

The University of Leeds is an international university that welcomes students from all over the world. We have over 9000 international students from over 170 countries. We have a team in India who offer extra support to applicants and offer holders, and an extensive international office in Leeds. The University and Leeds University Union work in partnership and together we are committed to developing independent, critical thinkers who make a difference to the world around them. We do this through our innovative programme of research-based education, our strong emphasis on extra-curricular activities and by providing an exceptional student experience. â—? Tell us about the scholarships offered by the UoL to attract international students, especial-ly students from India.

University of Leeds offers various range of scholarships including subject related academic achievement scholarships for UK/EU students and international students.

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3RDiConsulting:

Your Trusted Study Abroad Consultant in Town

By Sarath Shyam

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eports from the Ministry of External Affairs says that over 7,52,725 Indian students are studying in as many as 90 countries, with the US at the top having over 2,11,703 Indian students and countries like Uganda and Serbia at the bottom with one student each. “Over the years a lot of Indians have been overseas to pursue further studies and the number is only rising each year. Studying abroad greatly improves the aspirant’s career prospects in several ways and it helps you get in touch with newer opportunities by letting you out of your comfort zone,” says Kavitta Mehtta, a renowned education consultant and the Founder of 3RDiConsulting.

With businesses going global, most of the employers now look at international study experience as a huge positive when they recruit their future talents. In fact, QS Global Employer Survey Report, which is one of the biggest-ever surveys on this subject, found that 6 out of 10 employers around the world give extra credit for international student experience, and more than 80 percent said that they actively sought graduates who had studied abroad. “Well, it is a fact that most of the organizations are pretty much interested in hiring those aspirants who have studied abroad, mainly because of their enthusiasm towards exploring innovative ways and the confidence which they possess towards handling various challenging aspects in life,” opines Kavitta, who holds dual master’s degree, one from India and another from the UK. The Survey also claims, 80 percent of those who responded believed that their time abroad helped them acquire their first position due to valuable skills developed overseas, like tolerance for diversity and ambiguity, communication skills and adaptability. “Studying abroad is the biggest career booster. It makes you industry ready to work in a multicultural environment,” pinpoints Kavitta. However, with an abundance of useful and fake resources on the internet, study-abroad aspirants are more confused than ever. Today, if you want to find the perfect match for your study abroad dreams, then you would definitely need a trusted mentor who can sift through the digital noise and help you to find the best place overseas.

“Confused? Always! This is one of the biggest dilemmas in every student’s life. The first step towards

Kavitta Mehtta, Founder

Higher Education Digest October 2019

carving their path involves mentoring them to understand them better,” says Kavitta. As a social entrepreneur, Kavitta has been offering a broad range of educational consultancy services for students, graduates and those looking to develop or even change their careers. Having studied abroad, Kavitta has experienced the troubles that a student faces in making these decisions. In Mumbai, she runs 3RDiConsulting, which works with students across India and worldwide and has delivered careers and education advice to over 2000 people. Kavitta states, “We are myth busters. Most students today have inadequate knowledge about the reality of study abroad. There are myths about the course offerings, work options, visa regulations, and many other factors, with our expertise we make sure we help them clear these doubts and find the right match.”

Easing the Process of Finding the Best As a professional firm with the ultimate goal to find the perfect match for each student, 3RDiConsulting has been counseling students for further studies in India and abroad, helping them with the entire process right from selecting the course, country and university to the whole application process and decision making till the visa approval. The organization provides reliable and professional advice and educational products to students in order to empower them to build their careers. “3RDiConsulting is your one-stop-shop for all university applications. Kavitta comes in with rich experience in this space which helps students plan their university applications in a systematic manner - she provides guidance right from the required GMAT score for a particular school, shortlisting of schools as per an individual’s preferences up till the visa application process. Unlike many other education counselors, Kavitta personally reads and edits each essay, which is a very critical component of each application,” says Amir Munshi who now studies MBA in San Diego University, US. “Sometimes a student is not sure about what their true strengths are. They do not know what career pathways their aptitudes might support. There are also other factors that might impact their career choices,” pinpoints Kavitta. At 3RDiConsulting, an applicant would go through various tests like Aptitude Tests, Psychometric Tests and Brain Mapping to understand a profile of strengths and weaknesses on several parameters of skills like verbal, numerical, spatial, mechanical, interpersonal, creative, art, design and many more.

Expert analysis of aptitude results combined with informed career counseling leads to optimal utilization of educational opportunities so that a student can enhance strengths, overcome weaknesses to grow towards his/her career destination.

As a social activity, Kavitta Mehta often conducts free seminars on ‘Future Options’ for the Government School students in Mumbai

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After a series of tests to identify the interests and motivations of the applicants, Kavitta and her team at 3RDiConsulting would go the next important task, which is the University selection process. Kavitta explains, “Selecting a university involves consideration of multiple factors like student profile, family budget, and location preference. It is also important that we successfully find the perfect match for each student in alignment with his/her future goals and career aspirations.

We also put our students in touch with our alumni network to facilitate their research and help them in the selection and short-listing process.”

Cost of study, Availability of Course and Specialization, Reputation of the University, International Student ratio, Employment Opportunities, Location/ Weather, Prospects of Further Education, Funding/ Scholarship Options, Student to Staff ratio and Faculty/ Infrastructure are the major factors put into consideration while selecting a university abroad.

“Once we identify the course and university for an applicant, we will send complete, correct and on-time applications to universities.

We work in sync with students and parents from any city to streamline application procedures and meet all deadlines,” claims Kavitta.

Applications abroad are competitive. To get in the top schools one must have a holistic profile. This needs early planning. Kavitta adds, “UG students should typically start working on the profile from as early as Grade 9. Those seeking a Masters or MBA degree, should start immediately after Grade 12 and continue till the final year of your undergraduate degree.”

Ishika Jain, who is now studying BSc Psychology at McGill University, Canada, is one of the many beneficiaries of the counseling given by Kavitta at 3RDiConsulting. She says, “Kavitta really helped me hone on what I needed to express and helped me portray the best version of myself to various admission offices. I am very grateful to have been under her guidance for 2 years through high school as she helped me with not only finding out my dream university and program but also getting there.” A stand-out resume and carefully crafted essay are integral parts of the application process. 3RDiConsulting helps the aspirant to compose a resume in the crispest and effective manner by highlighting strengths and activities that will portray them as attractive applicants.

“When it comes to the essay part in the application, most students are confused and don’t know what they should include. We have brainstorming sessions to help them choose the best topic for each university. We also help them with editing. Our editors make sure they do a detailed study of the student profile and university before editing the same,” shares Kavitta. A complete application comprises filling the Application Form and submitting all supporting documents.

Each university has different requirements and there could be specific requirements according to the country or course. 3RDiConsulting ensures that all guidelines are followed and guides its applicants through competitive testing requirements, form filling and other processes that contribute to a strong and competitive application.

Higher Education Digest October 2019

“3RDiConsulting has helped me present myself in the most befitting manner by guiding me through all aspects of my application process. Kavitta has been very supportive and made this entire process easy. She was always available 24X7, be it midnight or early morning,” recounts Dhruva Patodia who is now doing Masters in London Business School. For 3RDiConsulting, students come first. The personal touch and care Kavitta gives while dealing with every student personally makes the organization different from the rest. “Boutique counseling is what differentiates us. I ensure a smooth communication channel; approachability is one of our key advantages. Their success is all that matters. Over 10 years of experience in the field has taught me how to prepare an admissions application and maximize a student’s chance of admission,” elaborates Kavitta.

The best counseling does not merely involve aptitudes tests, profiles and scores, but a close encounter with your ambitions, strengths and passions. Knowing this, Kavitta always adopts a mentoring approach, which has helped thousands of students and young professionals achieve their potential. “Being student-oriented, the ultimate goal since the start has been to put their needs first. It is my dream to build nextgeneration world leaders and innovators,” pinpoints Kavitta.

Promising a Budget-Friendly Education with HassleFree Documentation According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), more Indian students are now going abroad to pursue higher education. In fact, spending on tuition and hostel fees by Indians studying overseas has gone up by 44 percent from $1.9 billion in 2013-14 to $2.8 billion in 2017-18. “Cost of studying abroad is the number one concern for most students and parents. This includes not only the cost of the program itself, but also the cost of accommodation, food, books, traveling and other expenses.

All this creates a need to generate a reliable source of income,” opines Kavitta. Funding options are extremely competitive with students from around the world vying for the limited funds. Therefore, in addition to strong and consistent academic records, students need to differentiate their application with evidence to show outstanding contributions to the community, leadership, initiative, innovation, and enterprise. Different types of scholarships include merit-based, subject-specific, programspecific, destination-specific and need-based.

“Scholarships, funds, and aid for studying abroad are based mainly on consistent high academic scores and overall excellence of profile.

We at 3RDiConsulting help students with these applications based on their profiles and merit,” claims Kavitta. On the other side, besides having a valid passport, financial documents and so on, it is important that the students fulfill the formalities of student visas. “The merit of your visa application lies in the veracity of your intent to study abroad, ability to provide sufficient documents of proof and your confidence in clearing the interview. Applying for a student visa, officially called the Tier 4 (UK), F1 (USA) and so on, can appear to be a straightforward affair,” reminds Kavitta.

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Kavitta Mehta organizes 3RDiPremier League for students to encourage sports education, which also act as a networking platform

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Higher Education Digest October 2019

During the Visa application process, taking advice from non-qualified consultants or relying on information from family and friends can lead to mistakes. Each application is unique in its way and what worked for one person may not always work for others. With a 99.99 percent success rate, 3RDiConsulting ensures that they help the students prepare these documents in advance, making the transition hassle-free for every aspirant. Kavitta says, “Student visas can be a mind-boggling task and we prepare students to navigate the course to enter the country of their choice. We guide each applicant with the documentation and conduct mock interview sessions so that they are confident during their actual interview.” The experienced counselors of 3RDiConsulting understand the questions as well as the expectations of the visa officers, which ensure that the applicant’s journey towards their further education is smooth.

What More to Come in the Future?

“In the near future, we aim to develop an App for the convenience of the students and enhance their experience. We are also establishing a YouTube channel, which will be informative and rich in content, helping students with various issues or queries,” shares Kavitta. As an endeavor to keep students updated on topics like visa regulations, new course offerings and economic conditions of a particular country, Kavitta wants to keep her YouTube videos brief but informative. She adds, “We are also tech-savvy and make sure the team is always connected and available to connect on all social media platforms. Furthermore, I can say that I am always a phone call away for all my students and provide online counseling via Skype and other tech platforms.”

In the short run, Kavitta also wishes to expand her services across the suburban areas in Mumbai with a 5-year goal of opening newer branches in Tier 2 cities as well. She claims, “Over the past few years there is an increasing trend of students from cities like Raipur, Nagpur and many more willing to pursue higher studies abroad. I wish to provide them with

23 the best and help them achieve the potential they deserve.” At 3RDiConsulting, Kavitta is also aiming at institutional tie-ups, specifically schools and colleges with a desire to provide holistic growth on a large-scale basis. “We work closely with multiple organizations that can be advantageous to students. Beyond individual counseling, I have indulged myself in seminars at schools and colleges too,” pinpoints Kavitta.

It is true that you are taking in twice the knowledge when you study abroad, and it is no surprise that employers are eager to hire individuals with international experience. However, finding a trusted education consultant has always been a problem for Indian students, as the study-abroad consulting market in India is clogged with numerous small, medium and large players. “When you are about to make one of the most important educational decisions of your life, what you need is a dependable counselor by your side and that is exactly what Kavitta offered me. It truly made the difference in ensuring that I got accepted into HKUST. If you are looking for someone who can be depended upon, look no further,” recommends Kshitij Shah, who did MBA from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in 2017.

By giving students a personal touch beyond professional realms, Kavitta has won many hearts and has helped to materialize the dreams of many. In the years to come, when more young Indians wake up with aspirations of global education, they do not need to look anywhere else, as Kavitta Mehtta and her 3RDiConsulting are here to stay as the one of the most trusted study abroad consultants in town.

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INDUSTRY PERCPECTIVE

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Higher Education Digest October 2019

How to Find Your ‘Guru’ in the Digital World?

Minal, Founder and CEO, GuruQ

A graduate in Business Administration from the School of Management at Boston University, Minal Anand had worked at companies like Franklin Templeton, Citigroup to gain relevant experience on business planning, fund raising, enterprise design and structuring, and talent management. During her college education in USA, she saw a dramatic difference in the education system there, vis-à-vis that in India - its quality, the predominant use of digital platform and ground-breaking teaching methodologies. The urge to do something in the field of education drove Minal to explore the ed-tech sector – one of India’s most prolific segments. Minal is now the Founder and CEO of GuruQ, a unique and integrated digital platform that promises to bring high quality standards and new age methodologies to the way education is imparted in India. In an exclusive interaction with Higher Education Digest, Minal talks about her life as a young woman entrepreneur and trends that are disrupting the education technology sector.

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● In one word, describe your life as an entrepreneur.

Whirlwind. ● As an entrepreneur, what is it that motivates and drives you? How do you handle failures?

Reading and watching documentaries about other people’s success stories and how people from different backgrounds and walks of life have been successful after overcoming various predicaments and obstacles.

Being a woman in this corporate world dominated by men, is not always easy. Being a young petite woman, I am often looked upon as unqualified, incompetent or unable to perform, without even knowing me or my work, simply because I don’t fit the regular mold of being a middle-aged man. Many a time, this makes you angry for being judged not by your work but by how you look or who you are on the outside. However, I only use this as motivation and fuels me up, even more, to prove them wrong and drive me to show these very people what I can actually do. It stopped weighing me down but rather catapulting me to achieve my goals.

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● What would you say are the key elements for starting and running a successful business?

Having a good idea is key! I always tell entrepreneurs that when they have an idea, they must come up with at least 50 reasons why their idea is unique and why it will work. Once you have a solid idea, you need a strong business plan and vision.

After that, you have to put your full potential to building your business. It’s a game of hard work, perseverance, and patience.

Having a strong and reliable team is the other key, along with supporting partners.

Another element that entrepreneurs need to have is mental strength. You need to be strong to deal with the ups and downs. Not all days are going to be good and you must have the strength and patience to deal with the hurdles you encounter on your journey. Every day is a new battle that must be taken head-on. While the struggles are tough, the successes are as worthwhile and rewarding – that is the life of an entrepreneur. ● What is the role of educational technologies in the education system now?

Education technology is now actively playing a complementary role in schools in the education system. While a child is still going to school and learning the traditional way, the ed-tech sector is looking to enhance the education of a child and extend it beyond the classroom through various platforms that provide curated and customized content, or provide at-home teachers for extra help, or even help students take up a new non-academic hobby or learn a language.

Higher Education Digest October 2019

Education technology is now actively playing a complementary role in schools in the education system

● Digital education has the capability to change the educational landscape of rural India. What is the current status of digital learning in India and what will be the focus of GuruQ in the market?

Digital learning in India has come a long way. With the rise of broadband providers, the internet has percolated into rural India, allowing students even in villages to learn via digital mediums. India has come a long way in providing education to rural areas but is yet to tread a long way ahead.

In the future, GuruQ will look to partner with the public and govt. schools to train teachers in rural areas through online and face-to-face interactions. These teacher training programs will ensure that the teachers in villages are well versed and equipped to teach their students.

GuruQ teachers will be able to supervise and regularly manage teachers in remote rural areas through its in-built online teaching dashboard. Not only will teachers sitting in big cities be able to train teachers, but they will also be able to interact directly with students in villages allowing them to learn and be exposed to more. ● What are the common misconceptions Indian students have about on-demand tutoring? What is the strategy GuruQ has adopted to attract more students towards on-demand tutoring services?

Firstly, I believe the biggest myth behind tutoring is that “Only weak students need tutoring”. Well, that is simply not the case. Tutoring is an option available to all students and is not limited to weaker students. While yes tutoring is used by weaker students to understand concepts better, it can also be used by academically advanced students to strengthen their understanding or further improve their scores. Tutoring is also used by students to ensure maximum clarity of concepts, revision of material taught in school and a way to stay ahead of the class and your peers.

GuruQ attracts students by offering them top rated vetted tutors at their fingertips. It connects a student to the best tutor available in a better and easier way. Parents and students can make informed and practical decisions through feedback such as ratings and tutor reviews based on the services derived from the abundance of teaching options. This platform has a Q-points reward system that students and tutors can use to avail of a variety of benefits.

● How to keep learners motivated and engaged in this digital era?

We must keep adding new and innovative features that solve the problems and needs of the students.

The newest feature GuruQ has added is of Group Classes. Students can now use the platform to create study groups with friends with any tutor of their choice. This allows friends to study together and create some healthy competition while making the classes more economical.

This allows learning to be fun as well as allowing friends to push each other to learn more and do better.

GuruQ is also launching some never-seen-before features that are going to revolutionize the tutoring industry. ● What are the top trends in the education sector to watch out in the academic year 2019-20?

The top trends that schools are leaning towards this year would probably be the implementation of various digital courses such as AI, being more inclusive with study and career options such as sports nutrition, environment management, etc. Schools are looking to give their students a more all-rounded education more than ever before, to ensure they are prepared and equipped to enter into the future workforce. ● What are your advices to the learners and student entrepreneurs who are starting out?

I would like to advise learners to never stop learning.

Learning and gaining knowledge has no expiration date, it continues throughout one’s life. Surround yourself with people that know more than you so they can help you learn and grow. Also, remember that perseverance is key. If we truly want something, we should keep working at it and persevere to achieve our goals. There is no substitute for hard work.

For entrepreneurs, be 100% sure of the idea you want to pursue. Make sure you have a robust business plan and enough financial backing to make your vision a reality.

Surround yourself with people smarter than you – that’s the only way you will learn and grow.

Again, there is no shortcut to hard work. It’s simply the harder you work the more successful you will be. It’s that simple. But yes, hard work must be accompanied by smart work. Make sure you not only work hard but also smart by ensuring maximum efficiency and utilization of time.

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couple of decades ago, going abroad for studies was an elite dream, not many could afford it in India. However, there has been a drastic change in the last few years with a significant increase in the number of Indian students enrolled in foreign universities. As per the reports from various agencies, the number of Indian students studying abroad has reached a whopping figure of 5.86 lakhs in 2017 from a meager 27,000 in 2011. Indian students can now be seen in over 86 countries with a majority of them preferring the US, Canada and Australia. It is estimated that there are 2,06,708 Indian students studying in the US alone, which is followed by Canada with an estimated 1,00,000 students while Australia is at third with 63,283 students. These are the only three countries with more than 50000 Indian students and make up for 2/3rd of the Indian students studying abroad.

While the western countries to dominate in this sector, Asian counties like Singapore, UAE, China, are also emerging as favorite destinations for Indian students. As per the reports from the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, with 18,171 Indian students, China is at

the top among our neighboring countries. This is followed by Bangladesh with 3,600 and Nepal with 2,000. However, the increasing number of Indian students getting enrolled in universities abroad does not guarantee that they are reaching the best of universities or selecting the right course to get excellent career opportunities for themselves.

Many times, it has happened that the degree Indian students have chosen is either not recognized or not valid in India. This makes all the efforts made to enroll in an international university or college futile.

Students who want to pursue their education abroad must be very careful while choosing the country, colleges, and the course. An expert’s help would make a great difference in this process.

Understanding this fact, we have come up with a list of “10 Must-Watch Study Abroad Consultants for Indian Students,� who can help the students to find the best possible education opportunities abroad.

We sincerely hope that our efforts to identify the consultants who are offering best services will help students from all over the country in their overseas educational journey.

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Consultantcy Name

City

State

3RDiConsulting

Mumbai

Maharashtra

BroadMind Study Abroad Consultant

Chennai

Tamil Nadu

Canam Consultants

Ahmedabad

Gujarat

EDGE Overseas

Amritsar

Punjab

Edwise International

Mumbai

Maharashtra

Global Opportunities

New Delhi

Delhi

Guidance Plus Educational Services

Kochi

Kerala

Hyderabad

Telangana

Kolkata

West Bengal

Bangalore

Karnataka

IDP Education

Jamboree Education

Santamonica Study Abroad

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Higher Education Digest October 2019

Global Opportunities: Creating Successful Global Graduates

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Higher Education Digest October 2019

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n the mid of 90s, Sidharth Gupta, hailing from the city of Amritsar, decided to go abroad for his studies with the help of a study abroad consultant in his town. He travelled to Australia only to find that the university arranged by the so-called reputed consultant was a two-room institute working in a commercial building. However, he was not ready to give up on his dream of studying at an international university. Gupta came back to India without much delay and this time he travelled to the West, to the UK. There, he acquired two Post Graduate degrees, one in International Business and the other in Information Technology.

When he came back to Amritsar after his studies in the UK to join his father’s wellestablished steel business, there were many people waiting to know about the education experience in the UK and get advice on travelling abroad for studies. Gupta, who wanted to independently create his name and add to the kin’s fame, eventually gave up the family business and laid the foundation stone of Global Opportunities in 2001. What started 18 years ago as a one-man-army has now become one of the leading education consultants in India. Today, Global Opportunities has a massive network of 19 offices in all the major cities across India and one in Nepal.

The Trust Factor “In India, only a few players in this market have a national presence and Global Opportunities is one among them. we have an office near to every study abroad aspirant, where our dedicated counsellors and support department work enthusiastically to provide the best education consulting services

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Libu Mathew Thomas, Executive Vice President

Higher Education Digest October 2019

in India throughout every intake,” says Libu Mathew Thomas, Executive Vice President, Global Opportunities. With over 500 institution partners across the globe, Global Opportunities has sent more than 45,000 students to different renowned education institutions in the world to accomplish their study abroad dream and secure their future by acquiring international degrees.

“We have expertise in major countries, including the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Singapore, Dubai, Malaysia and many more. We offer free education counselling and other additional support required to get tertiary education abroad,” shares Thomas. Global Opportunities guides aspirants and their family in choosing the right course that leads them to the right career path. They provide free counselling, visa assistance, interview preparation, pre-departure counselling and other services to assure that every applicant becomes a successful global graduate. Thomas adds, “After evaluating your academic background, reviewing your extracurricular and other work activities, and your English proficiency, we work out strategies to ensure that the applications you submit provide you with the maximum chance of success.”

Nikhil Seethurravindra, who is now studying in National College of Ireland, is one of the many beneficiaries of Global Opportunities. He says, “I had been to several consultant offices but none of the consultants made me feel this comfortable to open up as the counsellors of Global opportunities did. In spite of my mediocre financial status, they helped me get an educational loan which I thought was impossible. Getting a seat in a prestigious college like NCI was impractical for me but Global Opportunities made me feel it was a simple task. I got my visa results in just 10 days (which usually takes 4 to 6 weeks) all the credit goes to them. This is the company which made my dream come true.” With a vision to provide seamless facilitation of International education recruitment services between India and the world, Global Opportunities is now planning to expand its service to Southeast Asian countries as well to offer its counselling expertise to the aspirants in South-Indian cities.

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Higher Education Digest October 2019

ACADEMIC VIEW

What Makes Upskilling a Mandatory Process?

Ajit K. Chauhan, Chairman, Amity Online & Amity Future Academy

A young and dynamic entrepreneur with expertise in business innovation, Mr. Ajit Chauhan has been spearheading Amity University Distance Learning, Amity Future Academy and Amity Skills as Chairman since 2012. He serves as a Trustee and Deputy President on the board of Ritnand Balved Education Foundation, the umbrella body for all Amity Educational Initiatives.

Mr. Chauhan has done his Masters in Marketing from ESADE Business School, Spain and SDA Bocconi School of Management Italy. He completed his Bachelor’s degree from Babson College, Boston. He believes in expanding the scope of digital technology in education beyond geographical boundaries and using it to offer both students and working professionals rewarding career prospects in future. He invests his time in learning about new innovations and growth opportunities in different sectors.

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With upskilling and reskilling, students and employees undoubtedly improve their employability and avoid redundancy

rom the past few years there has been a drastic change in the job market scenario, and it is going to continue for another decade. With the growth of technology and digitization, jobs are getting highly specialized and automated. Consequently, there is a learning gap that needs to be addressed by the educational sector. Skilling employees/individuals is important not just to keep up with the technological trends, but also to stay ahead of the competition. According to the Talent Shortage Survey 2017, conducted by the Manpower Group, 40 percent of employers worldwide reported lack of skilled, qualified workers with the necessary skills to fill open positions. This clearly shows us that upskilling is the need of the hour and demonstrates a massive skill-gap in today’s workforce.

Upgrading the skills and being relevant with the times is a necessity across domains and levels. Fast paced, demanding working environment does not provide leverage of time. A course targeted to an experienced professional upgrading to a parallel space does not need to be a detailed course including the elementary information. A pedagogy suited to her requirement with to the point curriculum and easy to understand content makes the learning effective as well as fast.

Impact of Upskilling Automation is responsible for rendering jobs redundant in the IT sector as machines replace humans in many jobs. The IT industry, which once drew employees in large numbers, has suffered from large-scale layoffs recently, which have made it volatile. Upskilling is the only way to stay abreast with new methods and remain relevant.

With upskilling and re-skilling, students and employees undoubtedly improve their employability and avoid redundancy. Learning new skills also quickly helps them to adapt to the changing needs of the business and opens up new avenues for career enhancement.

Eventually, all this leads to a better, rich and fulfilling career which significantly impacts not only their lives but also the lives of people who are dependent on them - family, parents, etc.

Democratizing education for all does not just yield personal growth of learners, & it holistically leads to a better economic world. As GDP of a nation is very highly dependent of skills its’ Workforce possesses which by far has been reflected in policies of many nations today.

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If the content is genuinely good and interesting, learner will pause to consume the content, understand the concept and interact with it

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Industry 4.0 and Education 4.0 Industry 4.0 looks into emerging technologies to make the economy smarter and create new jobs. For instance, Amity Future Academy is on a similar mission to provide skills to ready the Industry 4.0 workforce. In order to provide better understanding of various technological trends for the ever-changing future, it will allow individuals to explore futuristic trends. The courses offer advanced training programs that are specially designed to create a pool of high-quality professionals and help young professionals gain in-demand skills.

Considering the importance of educational technologies for higher education, the emphasis should be given to meet the expanding future student demand along with improving the learning experience.

Following things can be done to bridge the gap: a) Enabling students with skills related to employability and job creation, entrepreneurship and enterprise skills. b) Early stage research and development experience c) International exposure at undergraduate level to provide a wider worldview On the flipside, Education 4.0 is more about personalization of the learning process. For the enhancement of students, universities are adopting new technologies, innovative teaching methods, online content delivery, use of LMS and ERP solutions and blended

Higher Education Digest October 2019

learning models for personalized and adaptive learning experience.

We embrace Education 4.0 learning by being the first in India to rationalize the concept of knowledge for tomorrow. We want to get the future leaders ready, so they contribute to the vision of seeing India as the knowledge superpower.

Ultimately, content is king in any academic environment.

Every student has different style of perceiving the concept and nuances of a skill. But the cognition will happen only when the concept is enabled with the appropriate content.

Else the concept goes off from the memory which leads to a gap in skill. Good content, irrespective of its form such as text, animation or video, encourages users to engage with the course, whether they realize it or not. If the content is genuinely good and interesting, learner will pause to consume the content, understand the concept and interact with it.

The domains identified for Amity Future Academy have always been dynamic with advancement and newer areas being introduced frequently, more so now. The courses have been developed keeping this in focus and are designed to provide the necessary push ahead of the curve. Practitioners in the domain need to imbibe these technologies to provide impetus to their career. (As told to the Editor)

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Higher Education Digest October 2019

Auxilo Finserve: Enabling the Freedom of Financial Access

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Higher Education Digest October 2019

MOST PREFERRED EDUCATION LOAN PROVIDER

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etting an overseas education is undoubtedly an expensive deal. According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), spending on tuition and hostel fees by Indian students studying abroad has shot up 44 percent from $1.9 billion in 2013-14 to $2.8 billion in 2017-18. This sequential growth in overseas education expenditure shows that more Indian students are now preferring to go abroad for pursuing their education. Thanks to organizations like Auxilo Finserve, which endeavor to influx finance to catalyze aspirations, now anyone can study in an international university of their choice, no matter which class one might belong to.

“India grows aspirational with every passing second and we at Auxilo Finserve, take pride in nurturing these aspirations and helping millions of Indians and hundreds of educational institutions get ready for the world,” says Neeraj Saxena, MD and CEO, Auxilo Finserve.

Headquartered in Mumbai, Auxilo Finserve believes that it’s the right of every student to avail quality education. Saxena pinpoints, “We are taking steps towards ensuring that students acquire the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that they need to achieve their individual goals and to maximize their contribution to society and the country on the whole. There is a substantial gap that needs to be catered to when it comes to the Indian Educational framework.” To bridge this gap as an Education Ecosystem Enabler and a growth-focused socially responsible fair lender, Auxilo Finserve offers financial support through innovative financial solution delivery to a wide network of students as well as to a range of educational institutions to develop a nation that takes pride in creating remarkable minds.

Auxilo Finserve’s offering of an education loan sanction prior to admission is sure to help students show ‘proof of funds’ to the Universities and acquire admission in their dream university, be it India or abroad. “Our mission is to provide affordable funding options that can back your education aspirations to fruition. We’re in it to support those who wish to chase their educational dreams despite their financial shortcomings,” claims Saxena. A large number of students who want to pursue education require an education loan, and it can be a nightmare for both students and their parents owing to innumerable bank visits and procedures. They are often faced with multiple challenges along the way in getting an education loan. The education loan process usually gets stressful and sometimes takes a toll on them.

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44 Neeraj Saxena, MD and CEO A bastion for next-generation leaders, Neeraj has more than 16 years of experience in the Indian Retail and Financial Services industry. The core vision that’s been embodied in Auxilo Finserve is led ably by him. Before this, he led the path for Avanse an education NBFC. Neeraj has experience in diversified areas of Business Operations, Strategy & Corporate Planning, Product Management and Corporate Quality in retail, consulting and financial services sectors having worked with diversified & large companies viz Avanse, Tata Retail Enterprise (Trent), Piramal Retail, Wadhawan Retail, and Ernst & Young.

A science graduate from Agra University, he holds a Postgraduate in Management from NIFT, Bangalore.

Higher Education Digest October 2019

Offering credible assistance in matters relating to the field of education loans, Auxilo Finserve ensures that the candidates get hassle-free services and receive exceptional guidance throughout their education loan application process. “We know that education is an important investment one needs to make. An education loan can fuel goals and ambitions, ensuring a successful life. At Auxilo Finserve, your wait is over once you apply for an education loan, as you can really begin to look forward to studying in your dream university,” shares Saxena. Auxilo Finserve offers loans that cover up to 100 percent financing on pre-admission, course tuition fees, pre-visa disbursal, air-travel fare, and course-related fees at an attractive interest rate. Saxena adds, “A promising student’s potential also matters to us, as we provide better benefits like the unsecured loans to students who have higher scores. Since each student’s need is unique, we customize our education loans for their specific needs and requirements.”

Its not just students who are the beneficiaries of Auxilo Finserve’s financial assistance. “We understand that dispensing education to the far corners of the country is possible only through a dense network of quality educational institutions. This aim is at the core of our endeavors, and we offer financial support through innovative financial solution delivery to a wide range of educational institutions,” explains Saxena. Auxilo Finserve’s Education Institution loan, which caters to the entire education segment, are competitively priced and the repayment structures are flexible to accommodate the needs of every educational institution.

“At Auxilo Finserve, we understand that every entrepreneur in the education sector, as well as education institutions, face a unique and complex mix of challenges. We have a thorough understanding of this sector and firmly believe that financial hurdles should not be an impediment to the growth of education and centers for learning,” says Saxena. Keeping these aspects in view, Auxilo Finserve’s financial solutions are customized and varied based on institutions’ specific needs and individual requirements. Saxena adds, “Whatever the need of your institution, be it expansion, renovation or working capital, we have a financial solution for it. We leave no need unfulfilled.”

Being a specialist education finance company, Auxilo Finserve lives and breathes education finance and is determined to raise the bar of education in the country, because, only then can the nation rise!

Higher Education Digest October 2019

COUNSELLOR’S TAKE

Good news for Indian students planning to study in the UK! The two-year post-study work visa is back!

Rohit Sethi, Director, ESS Global-Study Abroad Consultant

students by enabling them to seek professional opportunities at any skill level within the UK, for two years, once they complete their studies.

Similarly, after the completion of their studies, students would be allowed to switch onto the skilled work visa in case they find jobs – something that had been revoked by the previous regime. Currently, international students pursuing Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees only get the permission to stay and work for four months while those studying at 27 universities on a pilot scheme are given six months for seeking jobs.

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or many years, the UK had successfully maintained its position of being the most attractive study destination for overseas nationals, especially in terms of student satisfaction. The good old days for international students, however, came to a standstill in 2012 when the then-home secretary Theresa May scrapped the post-study work permit. This move also turned out to be a major setback for the domestic universities in the UK, which witnessed a strong decline in the number of higher education students from several countries including India.

However, in the wake of a recent announcement by the UK government, the situation seems extremely likely to become favourable once again.

Re-launching the two-year post-study work visa In its latest statement, the Boris Johnson government has effectively reinstated the two-year post-study work visa policy abolished by his predecessor, Theresa May. The development is expected to pull in more international

Higher Education Digest October 2019

Benefits to Indian students The announcement by the UK government will significantly benefit Indian students planning to pursue academic opportunities in the 2020-21 academic year. In particular, it will give a major fillip to Indian students for whom post-study work visa is a deciding factor when it comes to studying abroad.

What else students should be aware of?

To avail the benefits of this visa route, students must know that it will be a separate visa and calls for a new application form to be filled, inclusive of immigration health surcharge and payment of a visa fee. Moreover, graduates whose leave expires before the visa’s implementation (2020-21) will be disqualified and won’t be eligible for the benefits.

Benefits to employers at the UK It will also have a positive impact on employers in the UK who were having a difficult time in the absence of the post-study work visa. 44% of employers faced issues with recruiting new talent whereas 34% experienced employee retention challenges last year, as per CIPD data. The reinstatement of the two-year work visa is a welcome move that will address these pressing concerns while giving employers access to a larger pool of talented graduates to work in and drive growth for their organizations.

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Higher Education Digest October 2019