Why study abroad?

Prof N S Ramaswamy tells Sriranjitha Jeurkar that Indian students need to discriminate between foreign universities which offer quality education and fly-by-night operators out to make a quick buck
Professor N S Ramaswamy has over 50 years of experience in education and management. One of the founder-directors of the Indian Institute of Management (Bangalore), he has also been director of the National Institute for Industrial Engineering (Bombay) and the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management, and consultant to various other institutions. He was in the City to release the book, 101 Great Universities of the World (see box). Edited excerpts from an interview with DH Education.

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What is the need for a book on studying abroad, considering that there are education fairs and websites which offer quite a lot of information?

In India, the ratio between demands for education is much higher than the capacity. So we need to work on our education system, from kindergarten to university. Students are constantly seeking credible information on how to pursue their educational aspirations. They have questions on where to study and what to study.

What is the difference between getting a degree in India and getting one abroad?

In India, education is mostly by rote, with a great reliance on text books. There is a teacher who transfers information to students, and then tests their ability to put the same information on paper.

Our system of education is exam-based, not learning-based. On the other hand, good Western universities make you apply your mind; they challenge your analytical abilities and focus on application of knowledge and skills. The student becomes creative and grows in several dimensions. The Indian system is also very rigid and our universities are not vibrant.

Years ago, you studied abroad. What do you think of the information on foreign universities that is available to students now?

Students have many advantages now. A lot of information is readily available on various websites. But students should also have the ability to discriminate. Dynamic information is needed. In India, there are no institutions to guide students: where will they fit in, where they need to go, what is their ability, their interests and aptitude, what they can afford, etc.

What benefits does a student get from studying abroad?

Each student is unique. When you study abroad, you can swim and learn philosophy; you can study both music and physics. Education should not just provide avenues for brilliant minds, it should also look after the interests of the average student.