An Indian Education Ministry official once said that the entire scenario of our Education System needs to be transformed. It is completely based on theoretical knowledge… it needs to be more practical and flexible.
There has been a constant battle between Indian universities and Western Universities since ages. None of them is less or beneath the other. Although, the rate at which Indian students, opting for western education is increasing day by day. According to government statistics in 2017, it has been estimated that nearly 5.53 lakh Indian students are studying in 86 different countries. To know the aspects in which Indian Education is doing good, and where it has to work on; it is essential to understand the difference between Indian and foreign education. The Indian Education System not only needs research-oriented education but a lot of things including flexibility, curriculum enhancement, and global knowledge as well. Here is a clear comparison between Indian education and foreign education.
Let’s see which are major 4 things that make foreign universities better than Indian Universities:
APPROACH TOWARDS EDUCATION AND CURRICULUM
The very major aspect of differentiation between both of them is their approach towards education. The approach of both of these is entirely different.
- Theoretical education is majorly focused in India. The age-old curriculum and researches are being followed blindly and with full confidence. Foreign universities follow the practical approach, and fresh researches are encouraged and promoted.
- There is a complete lack of infrastructure, administration, and limited research funds to facilitate research procedures in India. While research in foreign universities is funded by some of the biggest organizations of the world, such as Google, Microsoft.
- Foreign universities offer advanced education by constant up-gradation of the curriculum based on the latest and approved studies. Our curriculum is either not modified or is implemented quite late.
- Exposure is also one of the reasons why students move abroad for education. India has not yet been able to internationalize education. On the other hand, foreign universities comprise of a mixed group of students worldwide which in itself leads to better exposure is of complete attraction to students from other countries.
PEDAGOGY SKILLS
The concept of teaching is at a view of the major difference between the Indian and Western Universities. From recruiting to the methods of teaching… the aspect and process of teaching differ completely.
- The recruitment process differs as the norms and standards on which foreign institutions select are on the basis of individual potential. In India, recruitments are done mainly on the basis of work experience and not according to the potential.
- Western universities mainly go for quality and passion in their performance of the faculty they wish to recruit. In India, all these aspects are considered to be secondary.
- In India, the curriculum, syllabus, and books are not updated. Maximum students in India are provided with the books and research papers written many years ago. In Western Universities the entire curriculum, books, syllabus researches etc. are updated afresh.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND SUCCESS 
One of the major reasons behind any successful education system is the knowledge which they give the students for their betterment. The foreign education system is considered to be more flexible while the Indian education system is more rigid.
- In the West, research interests of both the students and the teachers are respected and worked upon. Even the smaller universities create a research environment to benefit everyone with the knowledge which is needed. In India, researches are not given that level which is necessary… our education system is all about gulping the books and vomiting the same on the examination sheet.
- In Western Universities, there is a complete engagement of interests of both the professors and the students; which leads to fresh questions and perspectives to ongoing inquiries. However, in India, there is nothing of this sort.
- Talking about the library, for the western universities, the library forms the center of life for both the students and the teachers. Librarians are respected for their services. Being the complete opposite in India.
- One of the major reasons, why the libraries of India lack behind is the books are not updated. You can find a book which was published 20 years ago in an Indian library of any college or university. This certainly leads to a lack of updated information, lesser latest knowledge transferred and obviously storage issues for the management to face.
DIFFERENCE IN CURRENCY
According to data released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in 2015-16, there were 2.06 lakh students who moved to different countries for education. The MEA Officials explain the reason why the students move abroad for education is the difference in currency. They explain that most of the students move abroad not just for education but to settle. Students move abroad and start working part-time along with their studies- to earn (in the respective currency) and soon get the citizenship over there. The reason for this is Educated Unemployment is India i.e. students do not get the job after studying in India as per their capability and end up being underemployed.
WHAT TO DO? Certainly, there is no instant solution for the drawbacks in our education system… as the flaws are deep-rooted. But yes, these flaws can be removed slowly and steadily. In order to keep up with foreign education, our system needs to buck up and work for the country as a whole. The educational approach needs to be improved to a broader and more flexible one. Excellent training is needed which attracts the students and feeds them with exposure. Since all universities cannot be top research universities the choices of the students as to where to invest can be made clearer by improving the effectiveness and the efficiency of the system; which means significant investment over time. Changes in India’s academic culture are also much needed. What we wish is for a better India… a better education system. So let’s see! What the future beholds.
