Varsities Tailor Curriculum for Foreign-Degree Seekers

Visa worry, rising costs making Indian students consider alternatives closer home

- SANKET KOUL

Indian universities are trying to attract students typically interested in seeking degrees from foreign universities amid US visa uncertainties and rising tuition costs. Some are even making changes to their curriculum to make them on a par with global standards, especially with the spike in interest in data sciences and artificial intelligence (AI).

"We have undertaken a comprehensive review of our curriculum and have made some changes like making it more experiential and ensuring courses respond to the changes around us, including the advent of AI," said Partha Chatterjee, dean of academics, school of humanities and social sciences, Shiv Nadar University.

Universities are also working on foreign collaborations, including exchange programmes that allow students and faculty members to interact with global peers and even spend a semester abroad. Shiv Nadar University, for example, offers dual degrees with Arizona State University.

"The advantage is that students do not have to go out of the country right out of high school and are exposed to two education systems and earn two degrees from two top universities," Chatterjee said.

Students who can afford foreign higher education include such Indian universities among their choices because the curriculum is aligned with global standards while being easier on the pocket.