Coronavirus puts question mark on Indian students overseas education !
Pune, March 13, 2020 : Corona Virus is widely spreading every day. The outbreak of COVID-19 has largely impacted all the industries including overseas education sector. More than 1 million students go to various abroad countries every year for pursuing higher studies. This year United Kingdom alone has witnessed an overwhelming 93% hike in study visas compared to last year. Corona Virus has created widespread panic amongst the Indian student community with many hanging on a knife’s edge with their decision to go abroad.
The picture is bleak on the other side of the coin as well. The vast many Universities offering summer intakes are facing a very uncertain future with increased number of students having filed their visas but unsure on whether they will actually reach their destinations with the dark clouds of COVID-19 hovering over their future. The ever changing travel advisories of different world governments and the lengthening list of banned countries is not helping the situation any further.
We contacted Mr. Braj Bhushan Jha, who is the Regional Head – South Asia of University of Wolverhampton to understand the current situation and seek any advice he has for students caught in the Corona scare. He says, “We are aware of the situation and are keeping close eyes on the Government travel advisories. We can only ask the students to not panic and keep patience to see how the situation unfolds. We are however, confident that Universities are abreast with the situation worldwide and will do their best to accommodate the student interests.” When asked about the specific measures taken by UK Universities, he added, “The University is ready to welcome students of summer intake but at the same time we are aware of our duty to ensure student health and of providing a safe and healthy campus environment. Measures are in progress to achieve this. Moreover, our intake begins on May 26 and I hope significant improvement and preparedness by then ”
Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) is now officially a global pandemic. With over 118,000 coronavirus cases sweeping across 114 countries of the world, the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic.
The total number of Coronavirus positive patients in India has reached 74 including 9 in Pune. Three of these cases from Kerala have recovered and been discharged.
