Studying in India: A big boost for Sri Lankan students

Studying in India: A big boost for Sri Lankan students

India has also been a favoured destination for higher education among Sri Lankan students since the time when great institutions like Nalanda and Takshila flourished. Post independence India has witnessed a resurgence of this trend. India's attractiveness stems from its ability to offer Quality education at relatively low cost, variety in courses, social and cultural similarities between India and Sri Lanka. Today, Indian degrees are treated with respect all over the world and contribution of Indian professionals and academics to advancement of knowledge has been universally recognized. In 2008, over 38,000 international students including more than 2000 Sri Lankans joined the Indian Universities.
Currently, over 350 university-level educational institutions with approximately 16,000 colleges affiliated to them are imparting higher education to over million students with the help of nearly three and a half lakh well qualified teachers.
There are three principal qualifying degrees within the Indian higher education system, namely, the Bachelors, the Masters and Doctoral degrees. Course duration is normally three, two and three or more years, respectively. Shorter duration diploma courses are also available at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Bachelor's degrees in professional fields such as agriculture, dentistry, engineering, pharmacy and veterinary medicine are generally awarded after four to five years of study.
Self-financed education
n Undergraduate courses in Medicine (MBBS), Pharmacy (B.Pharm.), Engineering (B.E/B.Tech)
From year 2003 onwards, most Indian institutions for higher education are according preferential treatment to Sri Lankan students. Government of India has reserved a limited number of seats in undergraduate courses in Medicine (MBBS), Pharmacy (B. Pharm.), Engineering (B.E/B. Tech) etc. even in government colleges and universities, which are imparting higher education at highly subsidized cost. Candidates proposing to seek admission against these reserved seats can apply through the High Commission of India in Colombo. Forms are available at the Education Wing of the Indian High Commission from January/February each year. Duly completed forms may be submitted at the earliest. These forms are issued to candidates who have completed their G.C.E. 'A" Level with a credit pass. For MBBS and B. Pharm. Courses, G.C.E. 'A' Level credit pass in Biology (Botany, Zoology), Chemistry and Physics are required. For B.E. and B. Tech. Courses, 'A' level credit pass is required in Mathematics (Applied Mathematics, Pure Mathematics), Chemistry and Physics. In the case of London 'A' Level students, 60% marks are required in Chemistry, Physics and Biology for MBBS and B. Pharm. Courses and Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics for BE and B Tech. Courses.
Those studying at Indian higher secondary schools can apply pending declaration of their Higher Secondary or 'plus 2' (10+2) level results. These candidates must, however, send in their mark-sheets within 10 days of the declaration of final results to the Students Cell, Ministry of External Affairs, Akbar Bhawan, New Delhi-110 021.
Though foreign students cannot obtain admission directly to MBBS/B.Pharm. BE and B. Tech. courses in public medical, pharmacy or engineering colleges in India, they can be admitted by direct application to private colleges which are recognized by the concerned regulatory authorities/bodies.
n Professional courses MBA, MCA, Hotel Management courses etc.
Even though no seats are reserved for self-financing Sri Lankan students for such courses in Government controlled institutions, all international candidates may apply directly to these institutions and they can be admitted to various courses on basis of availability of seats. However, a marginally higher fee structure is applicable to foreign students in certain institutions for some specified technical courses.
Courses in Agriculture
Students may seek admission directly to general agriculture courses including B.Sc. (Agriculture) in colleges and universities other than designated Agricultural Universities. Applications may be sent through the High Commission of India, Colombo to the Ministry of External Affairs, of Government of India at New Delhi for onward communication to Universities. Only those eligible for scholarships awarded by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR), New Delhi, can seek admission to under-graduate or post-graduate courses in specialized agricultural universities or institutes.
General Courses of Study
Self-financing foreign students may directly seek admission to general courses of study, such as those leading to Bachelors and Masters' degrees in Arts, Science, Commerce, Education, etc. by applying to the university concerned.
Courses in Indian classical dance, music and arts are available in certain universities and specialized centers for Indian art and culture. Foreign students may seek admission directly to under-graduate and post-graduate courses in these fields. Research facilities are also available in the performing arts.
Studying On Scholarships
The Government of India offers scholarship and fellowship to students from friendly countries to pursue under-graduate and post-graduate courses in various disciplines in Indian institutions. Scholarships are also available for research work and non-formal courses (e.g. training courses in classical music and dance). The major scholarship schemes are as below:-
n Scheme of Scholarship for Nationals of Sri Lanka
Under this scheme 40 scholarships are offered annually, these scholarships are for mainly pursuing undergraduate studies. Scholars can also study specialized subjects such as Agriculture and Engineering under this scheme.
n Indo-Sri Lanka Cultural Exchange Programme.
Every year three scholarships are offered under Indo-Sri Lanka Cultural Exchange Programme for Higher studies at Post graduate and Research level.
SAARC Chair/Fellowship/ Scholarship Scheme
Under the Indian Council for Cultural Relations' (ICCR) SAARC scholarship scheme, every year one fellowship and two scholarships are offered to Sri Lankan nationals at doctoral and the post-graduate level respectively. A one-year chair is offered to the SAARC countries on a rotational basis. Areas in which these fellowships, scholarships and the chair can be granted include economics, education, environment, agriculture, mass communication, language and literature, sociology, transport engineering, applied economics, business administration, bio-chemistry, social work, food technology and home science.
Commonwealth Scholarship/Fellowship Plan
Five scholarships are awarded every year through ICCR for pursuit of higher studies a Post and Research level under the Commonwealth Scholarship/Fellowship plan. The study or research areas in which scholarships are available are same as that of ICCR's SAARC Scholarship Scheme.
Mahatma Gandhi Scholarships
Since 2006, the Government of India has been offering 100 scholarships to meritorious Sri Lankan students selected from all the 25 Districts of Sri Lanka on the criterion of merit-cum-means on the basis of their performance in GCE 'O' Level examination.
These students are selected after interviews jointly conducted by the High Commission of India and Ministry of Education, Government of Sri Lanka. The selected scholars receive a financial assistance of Rs.1500/- per month for a period of two years to enable them to successfully pursue their Advance Level courses.
How To Apply For A Scholarship
ICCR Scholarships of Government of India (A, B, C & D above) for Sri Lankan students are administered through the Ministry of Higher Education in Sri Lanka, which places advertisements in Sri Lankan newspapers and on its web-site. Shortlisted applicants are interviewed to gauge their knowledge levels in their respective subjects as well as their proficiency in English.
Selected candidates are advised to consult the "Universities Handbook" published by the Association of Indian Universities, (AIU), AIU House, 16 Kotla Marg, New Delhi-110002; E-mail: aiu@del12.vsnl.net.in. The Handbook can be consulted at the High Commission of India or at the Indian Cultural Centre, 133 Baudhaloka Mawatha, and Colombo-4.
Forms of selected candidates are forwarded to the ICCR, New Delhi for final selection and placement. The ICCR does not entertain direct applications from candidates for scholarship. Final selection is conditional upon a candidate being admitted to the University of his/her choice.
For further information, Education Wing of High Commission of India, 36-38, Galle Road, Colombo-3 Tel: 011-2421605/2422788/89 Ext.: 605, May please be contacted.