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<keyword id="19970108" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vacancies" source="keywords">Vacancies</keyword> in <keyword id="20591266" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="teaching-positions" source="keywords">teaching positions</keyword> in <keyword id="20132275" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="state-universities" source="keywords">state universities</keyword> have emerged as a major hurdle in the implementation of the National Education Policy (<keyword id="19904633" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nep" source="keywords">NEP</keyword>) 2020, University Grants Commission (<keyword id="19932586" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ugc" source="keywords">UGC</keyword>) chairman Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar said here on Friday. The <keyword id="20963740" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="UGC-chairman" source="keywords">UGC chairman</keyword> was here to attend a day-long conference of vice-chancellors of Northeastern and Eastern regions on 'Implementation of NEP 2020', hosted by Guwahati-based Pragjyotishpur University. Addressing a press conference, Kumar said, "Across the country, a major problem in state universities is vacancies in teaching positions. In some state universities, 50 to 80 per cent of teaching positions are vacant," urging universities to expedite the filling of these positions. He said implementation of NEP is a "journey", which cannot happen overnight, and state governments have been enthusiastically participating in implementing it. Kumar stressed that it is also essential for the universities to formulate an institutional development plan and their own roadmap for the future. With approximately 130 vice-chancellors and other academics participating, discussions at the conference focused on transforming <keyword id="19896809" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="higher-education" source="keywords">higher education</keyword> institutions to empower students in contributing to national development. Key topics include providing holistic education, integrating skill development with degree programs, and utilising digital technology to reach students from rural and economically weaker backgrounds. "We will be discussing how the NEP is being implemented and challenges colleges and universities are facing, so that we can collectively find solutions," he said. Kumar requested the universities to open more off-campus centres to make education accessible and equitable, while stating that UGC was also laying thrust on training teachers in the higher education sector. Highlighting the need to expose students to different parts of the country, he said the Northeastern region is home to many indigenous knowledge systems, whether it be a festival celebrated based on astronomical calculation, bamboo engineering or shifting cultivation. "These are parts of Indian knowledge system and there is a need to expose students to this from different parts of the country," he said. Kumar added that UGC is also working on promoting education in own language, especially with the country having numerous native languages. On implementation of NEP in this region, Kumar said the UGC is in regular touch with state higher education councils and VCs. "We are very happy to inform that state governments are very enthusiastically participating in implementing NEP. Implementation is a journey," he added. He reiterated that achieving the target of a Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) of 50 per cent by 2035 requires sustained effort and cannot be achieved overnight. Among initiatives under NEP is the provision of biannual admissions to help students who fail to enroll during July-August to take admission in January-February. Universities with required infrastructure have been requested to implement it to maximise resource utilisation, Kumar said, adding that 90 varsities have also started biannual admissions for online programmes. The UGC chairman also said stress is being laid on strengthening research ecosystem in the universities and bring more young people into it. Though directly UGC funded-research has stopped now, funds for research projects are available through other agencies, like National Research Foundation and other schemes, he added. With focus on online education, internet connectivity and electrification has also received a boost across the country, with common service centres also set up for students in remote areas to access Net, Kumar added.

Vacancies in teaching positions major problem in NEP implementation: UGC chairman

<keyword id="19896882" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="canada" source="keywords">Canada</keyword> is looking at the possibility of putting a cap on the number of international students to help reduce the surge in demand for housing and fix the system that has gone out of control, Immigration Minister <keyword id="19946179" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="marc-miller" source="keywords">Marc Miller</keyword> has said, a move that is likely to affect Indian students. The remarks by Miller came on Sunday as the federal government of Prime Minister <keyword id="1740494" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="justin-trudeau" source="Orion">Justin Trudeau</keyword> faced criticism for welcoming an increasing number of immigrants - both permanent and temporary residents - while the country faces an acute housing shortage. In an interview with CTV News, Miller said the federal government will need to have talks with provincial governments "to make sure that the provinces that have not been doing their jobs actually rein in those numbers on a pure volume basis." "That volume is disconcerting," Miller said, in reference to the number of international students in Canada. "It's really a system that has gotten out of control." A cap on international students would not be a "one-size-fits-all solution" to housing shortages across Canada, Miller noted. But he did not reveal the size of the reduction the government is planning on making. India was the first among the top ten origin countries of study permit holders in 2022 in Canada, with a total of 319,000 students. Meanwhile, new reporting by The Canadian Press news agency - citing internal documents obtained through an access to information request - shows the federal government was warned by public servants two years ago that its ambitious immigration targets could jeopardise housing affordability. The Liberals have set targets aiming to bring in 485,000 immigrants this year, and 500,000 in both 2025 and 2026. Temporary residents, largely international students and migrant workers, are another part of the equation, with more than 300,000 of them arriving in Canada in just the third quarter of last year. Miller said he will be looking in both the first and second quarter of this year at possibly setting a cap on international students to help reduce the demand for housing. When asked why the government is only considering a cap now, when the idea of one has been floated for months, Miller said there's a need to sort out numbers on a federal level before looking with "a little more granularity" at what individual academic institutions are doing in different provinces, possibly profiting off bringing in more international students. "We need to be doing our jobs and making sure that we have a system that actually makes sure people have a financial capability to come to Canada, that we're actually verifying offer letters," Miller said. "And now it's time for us to have a conversation about volumes and the impact that that is having in certain areas." When pressed further on the number of international students coming to Canada far outpacing the number of homes the federal government has announced it's planning to help build, Miller also said housing is only part of the calculation when it comes to immigration targets. The pressing need to bring down the average age of the workforce also needs to be taken into consideration, he said. And while he wouldn't give specifics, Miller said a cap on international students is something the federal government is considering, "and will continue to consider." "We have a sense of what those numbers would look like, what the reduction of those numbers looks like, out of courtesy to my colleagues in the provinces, those are discussions that we're first going to have around the negotiating table," he said, adding the financial needs of academic institutions is also a factor.

Canada mulls putting cap on international students numbers; move likely to impact Indians

Thailand’s geographical proximity and affordability, along with its platter of delectable food, historical sites, pristine beaches and lively atmosphere, holds a particular appeal for Indian travellers. While tourists from India were forced to limit their travels to the Island country to a 15-day stay under a visa-on-arrival scheme until recently, the Thailand government is now extending its arms wider for us. Thailand's tourism sector has been strategically easing <keyword id="20166202" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="visa-regulations" source="keywords">visa regulations</keyword> to attract visitors from key markets like China and Russia. And now, the country has extended its visa exemption program, allowing visitors from these countries to vacation visa-free for up to 30 days until November 11, 2024. This move aims to revitalise its tourism industry, a key driver of the nation's economy. This is no doubt great news for those wanting to spend more time in the bustling city of Bangkok or immerse themselves in the rich culture and calm of its gorgeous temples. However, there are some rather glaring problems that Thailand is facing, thanks to climate change and the <keyword id="21610692" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="El-Nio-event" source="keywords">El Niño event</keyword> — that impacted India as well. <h4>Water shortage hits <keyword id="21610693" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Phi-Phi-islands" source="keywords">Phi Phi islands</keyword> </h4> For instance, the idyllic islands of Koh Phi Phi, which attract many Indians every year, are facing a real-life challenge that's anything but relaxing — a severe water shortage after a scorching heatwave gripped Asia. The private company supplying water may have to cut off service entirely, according to Wichupan Phukaoluan Srisanya, president of the Krabi Hotel Association. Island authorities are scrambling for solutions, considering bringing in water from the mainland if the dry spell persists. However, they remain optimistic that the upcoming wet season in May will bring relief, and Wichupan insists that tourists planning trips shouldn't be deterred, claiming they can manage the situation. But whispers of trouble are already reaching potential visitors. Online forums and travel reviews are buzzing with warnings from returning tourists urging others to "check if their accommodation has fresh water" before booking. Some reports even detail tap water running dry in April. While Koh Phi Phi takes centre stage, the heatwave's impact isn't isolated. <keyword id="21563893" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="koh-samui" source="keywords">Koh Samui</keyword>, another popular Thai island, has also experienced dry and scorching conditions. Although the tourism board there assures visitors haven't been affected, the island reportedly relies on water trucks, significantly increasing operational costs for hotels. <h4>Island closure due to coral bleaching </h4> A popular island in southern Thailand, <keyword id="21605630" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pling-Island" source="keywords">Pling Island</keyword>, has been hit with a temporary closure due to extensive coral bleaching. This drastic measure by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) highlights the growing threat climate change poses to our underwater wonders. Pling Island recently witnessed intense heatwaves along with many other islands across Thailand and Asia. Due to ocean warming and acidification, corals expel the algae living within them, leaving them pale and vulnerable — a process referred to as coral bleaching. Thailand’s pristine beaches and vibrant coral reefs are a major draw for visitors, generating millions in revenue. However, unregulated tourism also puts a strain on these delicate ecosystems. Thailand's proactive approach in closing Pling Island demonstrates a commitment to striking a balance between economic prosperity and environmental sustainability. While natural phenomena like El Niño contribute to warmer temperatures, scientists point to human-induced climate change as the bigger culprit. Warmer oceans are the new normal, with Asia experiencing a faster-than-average rise in temperatures. Pling Island's closure and Phi Phi’s water crisis serve as a stark reminder of that every system has a carrying capacity and we must honour it. It sends the powerful message that even paradise needs a break once in a while to ensure its future remains dazzling. While the tourism-reliant industry of Thailand could greatly benefit from more visitors, mindful travel would help secure the future of the countrymen.

Thailand is now welcoming Indians with open arms, but are its drought-hit islands really prepared for a tourism influx?

Getting a <keyword id="20488964" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="job-offer" source="keywords">job offer</keyword> in today's time might feel like half the battle won. The job market, especially in the tech sector, has been quite intense for the last few years and for international students, as per a <keyword id="19951562" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="LinkedIn" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="LinkedIn" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="LinkedIn">LinkedIn</keyword> user, things are quite challenging. The <keyword id="22004983" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-origin-engineer" source="keywords">Indian-origin engineer</keyword> living in the US took to the job-search platform to share his journey. He shared how he recently got a job offer from <keyword id="19903807" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Elon-Musk" source="keywords">Elon Musk</keyword>'s <keyword id="19895433" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tesla" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Tesla" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Tesla">Tesla</keyword> after 500 cold emails, 300 plus applications and 10 interviews. <h2>Engineer gets job offer from Tesla</h2>The young international graduate in the U.S. took to LinkedIn and shared that he has finally secured a full-time role at Tesla as a Technical Support Specialist, after a five-month struggle of relentless job hunting. With over 300 applications, 500 cold emails, and numerous interviews, this success was hard-earned. Despite having solid credentials, including three internships, a strong <keyword id="20991885" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gpa" source="keywords">GPA</keyword>, and extracurricular experience, the competitive job market proved challenging, especially for an international candidate dealing with visa pressures. During the job search, the candidate faced intense setbacks, including the loss of health insurance, housing, and the emotional strain of uncertainty around visa requirements. Living out of friends’ apartments and managing expenses on a tight budget, he persevered by treating job searching as a full-time endeavour, committing to hours of applications and interview preparation. <h2>"Was unemployed for months" </h2> "Despite having three internships, a good GPA, and active extracurriculars, I never imagined I would be in a position where I’d be unemployed for five months. I lost my lease, my health insurance, and constantly felt the ticking clock of my visa status, knowing I could be forced to leave the U.S. at any moment," his LinkedIn post read. However, he also shared that he made time to unwind in the evenings and weekends, acknowledging the importance of balancing this tough process with self-care. The now-Tesla employee shared practical tips and resources that made a difference in his journey, from cold-emailing potential employers to leveraging platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, Handshake, and Jobright.ai for finding job openings. He added that with the help of ChatGPT+ for tailoring resumes and cover letters, he honed each application, turning every interview into a learning experience.

‘Was unemployed for months, lost my lease and insurance’: Indian-origin engineer gets offer from Elon Musk’s Tesla, shares journey

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Andres Pico, a software engineer from Ecuador, navigated the US education system to land a job at Microsoft.</li><li>Pico faced challenges adapting to US standardized tests and sought scholarships to fund his education.</li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Andres Pico, a 29-year-old software engineer in Seattle. The following has been edited for length and clarity.I grew up in a small beach town called Manta in Ecuador with my dad, mom, and two sisters. My dad always taught me that there was nothing I couldn't do.I became interested in computers and technology because of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/playstation-plus">PlayStation</a>. Sometimes, I couldn't finish a game because the dialogue and options were in English, so I became very motivated to learn computers and English.<h2 id="aea16f41-f4aa-4e6e-926f-62684543751d">After graduating from high school, I decided I wanted to pursue my education in the US</h2>To apply to a university in the US, you must pass either the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/do-colleges-require-standardized-testing-sat-admissions-what-it-means-2024-3">SAT or ACT</a>. I bought an ACT book and prepared for many months to ensure I could get a good score.I knew I couldn't attend college in the US without a scholarship, so I began investigating scholarships and programs. I found the University of South Florida in Tampa offered a scholarship for students from Latin American countries that would get me a student visa.I was awarded the scholarship, which allowed me to receive a stipend of $1,000 a year to cover textbooks and resident status for tuition purposes.<h2 id="1ea4606f-8ed1-484d-bf1a-b39e05b12a66">I began a bachelor's degree in computer engineering in 2012</h2><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-and-uk-life-biggest-differences-after-moving-home-space-2024-7">Coming to the US</a> at 17 was very challenging. It was my first time leaving home, and there was a lot I didn't understand about the US. I had no close friends or family here for support or guidance.It was also very exciting, as it was an opportunity to push myself. It took some time to get used to classes in English. I studied hard from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day.<h2 id="d640f046-61e6-4e77-9c39-669f1b3f751d">In my second semester, I found the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers</h2>The SHPE is a national organization that empowers Hispanics and offers mentorship programs in STEM. Classmates told me they offered free pizza. I'm really glad I was feeling hungry that day.They were welcoming and taught me the basics of the school system, how to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-this-is-an-excellent-resume-2013-11">create a résumé</a>, conduct interviews, and apply to grad school. It was a blessing to find them — suddenly, I had a community of people who wanted to help me succeed.<h2 id="e2632ea8-177e-49a0-b62a-e961cc3cb10a">A fellow student advised me to get as many internships as possible</h2>That was the best advice I received for navigating the US system. If I had just focused on the school material and not gained practical experience, I'm not sure I would've been able to find a job after graduating.I had multiple internships as a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/recruiter-how-filter-applications-software-engineering-job-post-atl-interview-2024-5">software engineer</a> with local companies in data centers and startups via student work permits. These internships allowed me to gain experience and earn some money.I was extremely fortunate to count on my dad's support to cover any difference between my earnings and expenses.<h2 id="f9d3935c-b09d-48b2-9bb8-dfcaa291a51f">I went on to pursue a master's degree in computer science at Virginia Tech</h2>I sought universities with good computer science programs and scholarships or assistantships. Virginia Tech had an amazing program and great tenured professors, and it offered me an opportunity as a TA, so the decision was obvious.My teaching assistantship paid for all my tuition and also paid me around $20,000 each semester.<h2 id="c9fdec8c-c770-4f06-a7af-8a6bb5f26c51">I started applying for jobs in 2017</h2>I must've applied for over 100 of them. When you apply, employers ask you if they'll need to sponsor you at some point in the future, as not every employer can cover the financial costs associated with the process when the time comes.I received four offers from Microsoft, Verizon, Deutsche Bank, and Disney. Microsoft had the best offer and was willing to sponsor my visa.<h2 id="a93721cf-c9e0-46f2-bd96-3071c98b4800">I started as a software engineer with Microsoft in 2018</h2>When I started my job at Microsoft in Seattle, I could work thanks to a student work permit that lasts one year after graduation and is granted to all F-1 visa students. While working on the student permit, your employer helps you apply for an <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/h1b-visa-lottery-changes-benefit-startups-hiring-immigrants-2024-2">H-1B</a> visa.I applied for a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/big-tech-green-card-applications-pause-2024-5">green card</a> after working on my H-1B visa for a year. By this point, I had lived in the US for about six years and created a whole life here, but the green card process was very painful.<h2 id="a2b4001a-c572-41e4-89cb-053b4e3c883a">The process makes life pretty horrible</h2>Having a work visa and going through the green card process are privileges, but it is very hard to separate the emotional component.There's no guarantee that you'll get to stay. If something goes wrong at any given time, you have to be ready to pack your bags and leave everything behind. I know some people who tried to get it three times and ran out of chances and had to return home.The first few years working were also difficult because I wasn't around anyone who looked like me. I wanted to grow and challenge myself, but at the same time, it made me wonder if I belonged, and doubt and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/managing-imposter-syndrome-when-you-are-the-boss-2021-10">imposter syndrome</a> crept in.Luckily, Microsoft paid for the attorneys in the green card process, and no cost came out of my pocket.<h2 id="1eb526a5-91be-4063-bec1-58a529e97297">I had to constantly review what they were putting on the application forms</h2>My key takeaway is that, even if you're working with lawyers, you still have to assume complete ownership of the application process and remember the lawyers supporting you, being human, can make mistakes.I was audited because some of the information that had been submitted was incorrect. It took me six to eight months to provide supplemental information and pass the audit.In 2022, I finally received my green card after three years.<h2 id="bd375841-9305-458d-bfb3-92ac255d1675">Last year, I decided to move into product management and took a new job at Starbucks</h2>In software engineering, you work on problems created by engineers for engineers. I wanted to learn how to build products that our customers actually love, so I ended up becoming a technical product manager.I love the US, I love the city I live in, and I love its people. I try to make it a better place by providing value through my career and volunteering in my local community.I even recently <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/millennial-couple-left-nyc-bought-vermont-house-slow-life-2024-9">bought a house</a> here — I don't have plans to move anywhere else.Want to share your story? Email Lauryn Haas at lhaas@businessinsider.com.

I got my green card after working at Microsoft on an H-1B visa. The process was very painful, but I love the US and don't plan to leave.

<ul><li>On an average, a loan could get extended by around ₹3.5-5 lakhs depending on the rupee exchange value at the time of the loan, said Ashwini Kumar, VP at MPower Financing.</li><li>Apart from tuition cost, Indians students also have to support themselves abroad and living expenses are going up as well.</li><li>The third part of the triple whammy is from rising interest rates. </li></ul>19-year-old Sakshi Shewale from Mumbai has been planning to go to Georgia in Europe for her medical course. The course costs around ₹30 lakh for the five-year course and unlike many others, her father is bankrolling it, without her having to take a loan. Yet, in the last few months a lot has changed. Europe is in the throes of a possible recession, the value of Indian rupee is depreciating and more importantly, inflation in the continent is also impacting budgeted expenses. “Looks like I might have to take a loan after all because my living expenses will change drastically. I have spoken to students who live there and they all tell the same story,” Shewale sighs. Her story is similar to a number of Indian <keyword id="15304331" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="students-wanting-to-study-abroad" source="Orion">students wanting to study abroad</keyword> but those who have already taken admission this year have it worse – on rupee depreciation alone. Since the beginning of 2022, the rupee has fallen more than 7% against the dollar. <div type="image" title="rupee" height="900" width="1200" msid="94974075" hostid="261" sizebytes="49035"></div> ‘Loans could balloon by ₹3.5-5 lakh’ If a student had taken a loan in March this year, when rupee was at 75 against the dollar, it would add a few lakh into the loan, as per Ashwini Kumar, VP at MPower Financing, a public benefit corporation that helps students to study abroad. For every dollar of the loan, an extra ₹7 is added and it would inflate the loan and the interest as well. “On an average, a loan could get extended by around ₹3.5-5 lakh depending on the rupee exchange value at the time of the loan,” Kumar told Business Insider India. The problems don’t end there. Apart from tuition costs, Indian students also have to support themselves there and living expenses are going up as well. The Eurozone inflation is being <a href="https://www.euronews.com/next/2022/09/30/record-inflation-which-country-in-europe-has-been-worst-hit-and-how-do-they-compare">pegged at 10%, as per estimates</a>. Inflation in the US too has recently <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/us-inflation-soars-to-8-2-per-cent-highest-in-40-years/articleshow/94842348.cms">hit a 40-year high</a>, messing with economics of students abroad. Most Indian students head to these destinations. The third part of the triple whammy is from rising interest rates. This financial year, the Indian central bank raised repo rates four times and the base rates now stand at 5.9%. More interest rate hikes are expected in the near term and most experts see base rates stabilising once it’s around 6-6.5%. “Loans linked to MCLR and BPLR will see a gradual increase in the interest rate in the near future. The EMIs of current and future borrowers will rise due to this,” said Ankit Mehra, CEO and co-founder of GyanDhan, an education loan market place. Moreover, the psychological impact of a possible depreciation in rupee will also largely play on the minds of US and Europe-bound students and their parents, said Kumar. Students still eye foreign degrees Studying abroad is going to become much more expensive. However, experts say that this is not discouraging students from pursuing their higher education dreams. Shewale too intends to absorb the extra costs but does not intend to change her plans. “The return on investment in terms of quality of education, career growth, international exposure, skills developed, and networking has more intrinsic worth,” said Mehra. Kumar too says that students who are planning to go abroad this year and the next, have been planning it two years before, and it’s unlikely that the road bumps will change their plans, though some may choose to delay it. “There are a few sections of society wherein parents are managing the EMIs on the border, which is due to get affected. A student who had to arrange ₹25 lakh for their overseas education prior to the rate hike will find it difficult to arrange for additional funds given the parental income has not increased proportionally to the hike in the interest rates,” said Mehra. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/maggi-maker-nestl-indias-net-profit-grows-8-3-to-668-crore-in-q2/articleshow/94960866.cms">Maggi maker Nestlé India’s net profit grows 8.3% to ₹668 crore in Q2</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/ultratech-cements-profit-tumbles-42-yoy-to-756-crore-due-to-higher-power-raw-material-costs/articleshow/94964556.cms">UltraTech Cement’s profit tumbles 42% YoY to ₹756 crore due to higher power, raw material costs</a>

Indian students going abroad to face a triple whammy of inflation, forex and interest rates

<ul><li>The number of bad loans in education reportedly increased to 9% in March 2018 from 7.3% as of March 2016. </li><li>As of 2016, over five million international students were studying abroad out of which 300,000 were Indians. </li><li>As per data by Reserve Bank of India, spending on tuition and accommodation have increased by 44% during 2013 and 2018. </li></ul>With more Indian students flying abroad to finish their studies, many have relied on hefty education loans but have been unable to pay down their student debt. According to a LiveMint report, which <a href="https://www.livemint.com/money/personal-finance/is-the-education-loan-burden-worth-that-course-abroad-1550502001583.html">cited</a> data by the Indian Banks’ Association, Indian banks have seen a rise in education loan defaults. The number of bad loans in education increased to 9% in March 2018 from 7.3% as of March 2016, said the report. There were about 2.79 million active education loans as of March 2018. While securing an education loan may have become easier than before but repaying them has seemingly become difficult primarily because of a shrinking job market, say experts. Additionally, tighter visa rules for working overseas in the West has forced many Indian students to return home after finishing studies, with huge debts and find work in a market where the wages often aren’t as high. The US, for instance, has a cap on the H1B visas for people including students who have studied there. Increasing costs of higher education, particularly overseas, has partly driven more students to avail education loans. According to CRIF High Mark, a credit bureau, there has also been an increase in the average size of new loans given each year, said the LiveMint report. The average size of new education loans varied -- from ₹895,000 in September 2018 to ₹708,000 at the end of FY18. In comparison, the average loan size for new loans was ₹503,000 in 2015, according to the media <a href="https://www.livemint.com/money/personal-finance/is-the-education-loan-burden-worth-that-course-abroad-1550502001583.html">reports. </a> Spending by Indian students <a href="https://www.livemint.com/money/personal-finance/expenses-you-shouldn-t-overlook-when-planning-to-study-abroad-1548784318439.html">has also spiked</a> in recent years. As per data by Reserve Bank of India, spending on tuition and accommodation have increased by 44% during 2013 and 2018. India also has high interest rates on student loans that range from 8.50% to 10.30% per annum. Indian students make up the second largest pool of international students globally after China, said CNBC. As of 2016, over five million international students were studying abroad out of which 300,000 were Indians, <a href="https://www.cnbctv18.com/economy/a-new-wave-of-indian-students-now-studying-abroad-2096281.htm">according</a> to UNESCO data. The number of Indian students studying overseas increased to 553,000 in 2017. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/campus-placements-at-iim-mdi-tiss-iift-see-salary-packages-above-2-million/articleshow/67898696.cms">India’s B-schools are seeing higher salary packages for graduates — and it’s not just IIMs</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/accenture-bcg-dominate-campus-placements-at-business-schools-in-india/articleshow/68045145.cms">Consulting firms Accenture, BCG dominate campus placements at India’s B-schools this year</a>

More Indian students are defaulting on their overseas education bank loans: Report

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The US says that Chinese students are welcome to study in the US, but in arts, not the sciences.</li><li>Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said that Indian students can fill the gap in STEM fields.</li></ul>Chinese students are still welcome in the US, but less so in fields of science where sensitive tech could be involved, Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/live/zj6BmmyePX8">Speaking to the Council of Foreign Relations think tank</a> on Monday, Campbell said more students were needed in STEM fields because Americans were not filling out those spots in universities.However, the ideal international students for these fields are Indians, not Chinese, Campbell said. But he added that the US does need more Chinese students, too — just not in STEM."I would like to see more Chinese students coming to the United States to study humanities and social sciences, not particle physics," Campbell said.He also cited security concerns about letting Chinese students access sensitive technology."There's been careful attempts now across most American universities to support continuing higher education, but to be careful about the labs, some of the activities of Chinese students," he said.He added: "I do think it is possible to curtail and to limit certain kinds of access, and we have seen that generally, particularly in technological programs across the United States."<h2 id="57d14d2c-30b3-4ece-9b47-7abf82293431">Chinese academics have already faced Trump-era restrictions</h2>Back in the Trump era, there were policies in place to restrict Chinese access to developments in the US academic space — like <a target="_blank" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/stuartanderson/2021/08/10/biden-keeps-costly-trump-visa-policy-denying-chinese-grad-students/">denying visas to Chinese graduate students</a> based on the Chinese universities they attended.Former President Donald Trump also enacted the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/justice-department-china-initiative-trump-2022-2">China Initiative,</a> a program aimed at countering China's economic espionage and preventing trade secret theft. The China Initiative was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/justice-department-china-initiative-trump-2022-2">scrapped by the Department of Justice</a> in 2022 after critics said it promoted an anti-Asian bias.But even now, Chinese students say that they have been facing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/03/14/china-united-states-university-students-border/">extra scrutiny while entering the US</a>. The Washington Post, citing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.zhihu.com/question/638299464">online discussion forums</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/03/14/china-united-states-university-students-border/">reported</a> in March that Chinese students were questioned for hours at US border controls, or had their visas canceled without valid reasons.Chinese students make up the largest international student body in the US, with almost 290,000 students enrolled in US institutions in the 2022-23 academic year, according to the <a target="_blank" href="https://opendoorsdata.org/fast_facts/fast-facts-2023/">Institute of International Education</a>.Indian students are the second largest group, with about 270,000 enrolled in the 2022-23 academic year. And Campbell said that there is space for this group to grow."I believe that the largest increase that we need to see going forward would be much larger numbers of Indian students that come to study in American universities on a range of technology and other fields," he told the think tank on Monday.<h2 id="b0a55766-8e6e-4ffd-8092-de27fd97dfcc">Worsening US-China relations</h2>Campbell's comments also come amid worsening <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/us-china-trade-war">US-China relations</a>, particularly in the tech space.In April, the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/senate-passes-tiktok-ban-2024-4">Senate passed a bill</a> that, if signed into law by President Joe Biden, will force Chinese tech company Bytedance to sell video site TikTok.The White House also announced in May that it would impose tariffs on $18 billion of Chinese goods.In particular, new measures target Chinese electric vehicles, with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/white-house-joe-biden-hikes-tariffs-on-chinese-made-evs-2024-5#:~:text=The%20White%20House%20has%20announced,the%20US%20market%20are%20growing.">tariffs rising from 25% to 100%</a>. This provided relief for American EV companies nervous about the competition from cheap Chinese EVs entering the market.China, meanwhile, is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-squeezing-us-firms-apple-tesla-hard-painful-business-lesson-2024-3">squeezing the US tech companies</a> that operate within its borders. Apple is one of them, with its iPhone sales in China dropping 24% in the first six weeks of the year, <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-iphone-sales-china-down-huawei-vivo-smartphone-2024-3#:~:text=Apple%20is%20no%20longer%20the,Vivo%2C%20Huawei%2C%20and%20Honor.">according to data from Counterpoint Research</a>.And homegrown Chinese companies are taking a larger share of the domestic pie, aided by the state.China <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-iphone-ban-office-workers-worry-bosses-apple-huawei-2023-9">banned its officials from using iPhones</a> in September, a move that coincided with Huawei's launch of its Mate 60 Pro, a breakthrough phone whose capabilities rivaled those of the iPhone.Sure enough, unit sales of Huawei phones <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/apples-china-iphone-sales-plunge-24-first-six-weeks-2024-report-says-2024-03-05/">climbed 64%</a> in the same period iPhone unit sales fell by almost a quarter.The Council of Foreign Relations think tank and representatives of Campbell didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, made outside normal working hours.

A US diplomat says US colleges need more Chinese students to enroll — but in the arts, so they can be walled off from accessing sensitive tech

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Physicians from other countries have helped fill the gap in the US healthcare workforce for years, even before the start of the coronavirus pandemic.</li><li>Now, as healthcare workers are becoming sick with the coronavirus and some are dying from the disease, an already complicated visa process for physicians from other countries is becoming an even bigger issue.</li><li>Some doctors are juggling visa renewals amid fighting the pandemic. Others are worried about what might happen to their families if they - the primary visa holders - get sick and die.</li><li>Dr. Amit Vashit, a Tennessee-based physician who used to be on a visa before he attained his current residency status, told Business Insider that he believes steps have to be taken so that healthcare workers don't have to worry about visa issues as they fight the virus.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-live-updates-latest-news">Read live updates about the coronavirus here</a></li></ul>The US relies heavily on doctors from other countries. More than a quarter of all physicians in the country are foreign-born, and in some parts of the country, the number is even higher. The need for ventilators and personal protective equipment has been front and center in the news in the past few weeks. But less attention has been paid to the need for healthcare workers who can care for patients.Already, healthcare workers have been <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/healthcare-worker-southwest-instagram-post-georgia-atlanta-nyc-new-york-2020-3">flying into coronavirus hotspots</a> like New York and New Jersey to help fight the pandemic. New York Governor Cuomo has made repeated pleas to retired healthcare workers, medical students, and healthcare workers from other states to join the fight. <h2>'We need relief'</h2>"As governor of New York, I am asking health care professionals across the country: If you don't have a health care crisis in your community, please come help us in New York now," Cuomo said at a briefing of the crisis in late March. "We need relief." But some foreign physicians who are on the ground and want to help are finding their hands are tied.Many foreign physicians are either on the J-1 or H-1B visas. Though there are differences between the two, physicians on either are facing challenges because they're often tied to one hospital and can't work at other locations. There have been efforts made by the US Department of State to address concerns for these healthcare workers, Frank Trinity, the chief legal officer of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), told Business Insider.These actions include allowing flexibility for some physicians to work in hospitals other than the one designated as their main employer. This could help fill in gaps in areas hit hardest by the coronavirus. They have also agreed to resume processing visa applications for recent medical graduates who are set to start their residency programs this summer, which would help fill in gaps in the US healthcare workforce, after a pause <a href="https://www.ama-assn.org/education/international-medical-education/us-resumes-visa-processing-so-imgs-can-join-covid-19">due to concerns over the coronavirus</a>. But more has to be figured out, according to medical organizations. <h2>Some doctors are juggling visa complications while fighting the coronavirus</h2>2,358 international medical graduates (IMG) left the US in 2019 once their J-1 visas expired, according to data from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), the non-profit organization that verifies the credentials of physicians who have gone to medical schools outside the US and Canada. More than 2,000 foreign physicians have departed every year since at least 2015.If the same number of doctors leave around this summer without a new batch to replace them, the country would be short of even more healthcare workers amid the pandemic.ECFMG CEO William W. Pinsky told Business Insider that his organization is trying to figure out how they can get a new batch of 4,222 doctors here for the start of their programs this summer, now that their visas seem to be on track for processing."Right now, with airlines not doing really any international flights, we're talking to various airlines and airline associations to see what the possibility is in terms of their travel to organize something for them," Pinksy said. "That's the next hurdle."Another issue that needs to be addressed, according to Trinity, is the doctors currently here have visas whose deadlines to renew are rapidly approaching. "We think the State Department should consider an automated extension of these deadlines so that the immigration system does not have to be stressed to manage the approval," said Trinity. "Just extend everyone automatically for some period to get us through the pandemic."<h2>If some doctors on visas die while fighting the coronavirus, their families may have to leave the US</h2>Foreign physicians are perhaps even more acutely aware of their precarious situations as visa holders in the US as they see more healthcare workers getting sick and dying from the coronavirus.Some doctors are concerned about what might happen to their families if they get sick and die. As the primary visa holder, if a foreign physician in the US dies while fighting the virus, their families - who are dependent on them for status - would be forced to leave or face deportation.Dr. Amit Vashit, a Tennessee-based physician who used to be on a visa before he attained his current residency status, told Business Insider that he believes measures have to be taken so that healthcare workers aren't worrying about visa issues as they fight the virus."Lots of these doctors and healthcare workers are serving on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic and this disease is very deadly, particularly for healthcare workers who are exposed," Vashit said. "What that does is, if God forbid something happens to this primary visa holder, the family, who is dependent on the primary visa holder, will have to leave the country or they face deportation."The coronavirus pandemic is a war with an invisible enemy, Vashit continued. "If you serve in the US military, on the frontlines of the war, your family is taken care if God forbid you get killed in the war.""They shouldn't be worried about their visa or what would happen to their families if something happens to them," he said.Do you have a personal experience with the coronavirus you'd like to share? Or a tip on how your town or community is handling the pandemic? Please email <a href="mailto:covidtips@businessinsider.com">covidtips@businessinsider.com</a> and tell us your story.Get the latest <a href="/coronavirus-business-impact">coronavirus business &amp; economic impact analysis</a> from Business Insider Intelligence on how COVID-19 is affecting industries.

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