India is an incredible market for foreign universities: Anis Qourzal, Baylor University

Nearly 1,25,000 visas were issued in the fiscal year 2022, this year US issued more student visas than any year since 2016. The enrollment of Indian students in US Universities has increased by 19% as compared to the last year. Nearly 21% of over one million foreign students studying in US are Indian students. India is the leading market in terms of education abroad. India has become one such country from where 1000s of students are going overseas for higher education. It would be interesting to see how students and universities will make the best use of the opportunities ahead as the environment has become more competitive. Anis Qourzal - Senior Director of International Admissions - Baylor University discussed with Shiksha.com why study-abroad aspirants still prefer the US over other overseas destinations. Why is the craze for Technology courses? Is it because of higher job opportunities. Views on UGC's recent announcement Indian government has approved foreign universities to set up satellite campuses in India.

Q. the Maximum number of Indian students go to the US right now, how is your university placed and what courses are being offered?
A. At Baylor university highest levels of research are being conducted at the university level which makes it attractive to students around the world. But, I think is a very strong academic university, with high rankings, and good research and our location is also very special, being in Texas we're just around by so much industry.
So, I think Bayler is at a prime location and the university has a very strong reputation. We have so many different programs with a long list of undergraduate and graduate levels for Indian students. The popular ones are the business, STEM fields, and computer science. It also makes sense because they can come into these fields and then they have access to many, many opportunities whether it's internships, jobs, or placements, the new Silicon Valley is now just outside of Austin and so that's very attractive for the students.

Q. You talked about popular courses like management STEM courses. Is there a change in trend in the post-COVID era? I mean students applying for Other courses also or is it the same?

A. I think we are noticing that students are now branching out a little bit more into some other disciplines, which is refreshing, but the big ones are still the big ones. A good example also is entrepreneurship. We see them in the humanities also applying in the natural sciences, which is encouraging. Also as I said, it's nice to see a little bit of diversity.

Q. But in natural sciences, it will be mostly postgraduate level students who will be applying for them.
A. A lot of people are looking for a PhD or Master in natural sciences. It is great to see at the undergraduate level students are more driven by research. At Baylor, we also focus on research at the undergraduate level. Undergraduate programs in the natural sciences are also becoming popular.

Q. What according to you are the reasons that make a top destination for higher education? how do you look at this?
A. I think what sets the US apart is it continues to be at the cutting edge of many of these fields in education, research and technology. The levels of research that are being done at American universities, students recognise that and they aspire to go to the very best.

I think students also look for a return on investment, and where we are located, many multinationals are moving to Texas, thus giving a lot of opportunities to students. There is a strong reputation, and a strong connection to the industry, and market. It will maybe elevate my chances of getting a job with XYZ Company.
Our placements are so high in some of these companies that they actually actively recruit at the university so that students are very savvy and they are aware of that. And so they take that into consideration when making their destination for study abroad.

Q. What is the number of international students you have right now and what part of that are from India?
A. We have a significant number of international students which is over 800. India students are one of our larger populations and that's exciting because the university, one of our goals is not just to grow the international population but be diversified. And even within India is a larger country, we want students from every corner of the country. So not just from one area but really to diversify within the country and India is such a diverse place also that it's encouraging for us.

Q. What kind of scholarships your university is offering to International Students? if there is something specific for India?
A. There are multiple types of scholarships, there are merits or academic scholarships available to students and those are very robust scholarships. But there are also different scholarships for schools, whether it's department scholarships for studying business, or engineering, they have their own scholarships and then there are also need-based scholarships of financial need.

Q. Government of India is looking to attract foreign universities to set up their campuses in India. How do you look at this opportunity for foreign universities?
A. I think it's not a foreign concept and I think it was bound to happen and India is an incredible market for that. Because of the educational wealth of the population, and strong infrastructure, I think it is in a great position and I think it won't be long before universities want to plant branch campuses here.

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