Saturday, December 28, 2024

Panjab University witnesses sharp decline in NRI Admissions

In the previous academic session (2022-23), PU admitted 82 students under the NRI category across undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certificate courses

PRAVASISAMWAD.COM

The academic landscape at Panjab University (PU) experienced a notable setback during the 2023-24 session, with a staggering 45% decrease in admissions under the Non-Resident Indian (NRI) category compared to the preceding academic year. This decline, as reported by timesofindia.indiatimes.com, may further escalate when accounting for potential dropouts.

In the previous academic session (2022-23), PU admitted 82 students under the NRI category across undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certificate courses. However, this number plummeted to a mere 45 in the subsequent session. A detailed breakdown reveals a significant shift, particularly in the University Institute of Applied Management Sciences, where the NRI admissions dropped from 54.9% in 2022-23 to a solitary student in 2023-24. Conversely, the Department of Law emerged as the hub for NRI students in the latter session, constituting 46.3% of the total.

Despite PU’s upward trajectory in global rankings, the university faces challenges in international outreach. According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024, a mere 1% of PU’s 19,695 students are international.

  • While foreign nationals sponsored by the Government of India remain eligible for admission, PU has seen a decline in the number of foreign students, from 400 to an average of 200 across the university and affiliated colleges

  • Nevertheless, PU is actively pursuing collaborations with international universities and adjusting NRI fees to attract a more diverse student body

In response to the concerns raised, university officials acknowledged the need for improvement, particularly in the international outlook criterion. Ongoing initiatives are underway to attract more international students and faculty to the campus, as emphasized by the vice-chancellor. The university is striving to enhance its global standing, as highlighted by the recommendations from the recent NAAC field visit team.

Explaining the decline in NRI enrolment, former dean of international students, Deepti Gupta, pointed to historical factors, including restrictions by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) affecting visa issuance and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Gupta commended the current vice-chancellor’s efforts in forming committees to identify gaps and suggested flexible NRI admissions, expressing optimism for recovery by July 2024 as PU refines its approach.

While foreign nationals sponsored by the Government of India remain eligible for admission, PU has seen a decline in the number of foreign students, from 400 to an average of 200 across the university and affiliated colleges. Nevertheless, PU is actively pursuing collaborations with international universities and adjusting NRI fees to attract a more diverse student body.

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Pooja Thakur
Pooja Thakur
A quick and keen learner Pooja Thakur has outstanding organizational skills. With proven ability to work independently on multiple tasks she keeps innovative ideas and maintains good interpersonal and communication skills. She loves to read, write, cook and take part in social activities.

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