‘The LMU case can happen here too’

Many Indian higher education aspirants are still enthusiastic about studying in Britain. Visitors at the Education UK exhibition in New Delhi had various reasons for looking at this major study destination despite the highly trusted London Metropolitan University (LMU) garnering publicity for all the wrong reasons just a few months ago. The university has been charged for breaching immigration control requirements. It won’t be able to recruit a fresh wave of students in January until the matter has been settled legally.

According to Kriti Aggarwal, a student, UK is among one of the world’s thriving higher education sectors and London being a global city is the reason why she wants to study there. “I am considering colleges like the London School of Economics which are recognised for their courses.”

Another student, Gyan Kotharia, said, “I am choosing UK for higher studies because the universities have many interdisciplinary study courses to offer. I am doing a lot of research work before I narrow down on any institute which suits my requirements.

Also, professionals who want to enhance their skills and widen their horizons consider UK as an option for further studies. Kirti, who works with a Delhi-based bank, said, “What happened with London Met University happens in India and other countries too. One can’t put the entire blame on the university, students are also at fault.”

While some delegates said that London Met University’s case would have a negative impact on other universities, others pointed to the silver lining in the dark cloud. “Quality check is very important. With this case, the government will learn a lesson and make sure that education doesn’t become a commercial business. With fake institutions being shut down, genuine universities will get a chance to come forward and maintain the UK’s reputation as one of the world’s thriving higher education sectors,” said a representative from the University of Gloucestershire.

At the exhibition, the one-stop destination, students, could get answers for all their queries regarding higher studies in the United Kingdom. They got an opportunity to meet the representatives of 65 institutions from UK, enquire about courses offered, tuition fee, scholarships and visa requirements etc.

Institutions such as University of Westminster, University of Essex, University of Leeds, University of Glamorgan, University of Hertfordshire and many more participated in the fair.