Students go local amid immigration curbs
Amid growing uncertainty over international education prospects due to immigration restrictions in various countries, local colleges are witnessing a noticeable uptick in interest from students before the new academic session begins in full swing.
Even as the exact admission figures will be known only by September, once the semester officially begins, institutions in the region have reported a sharp increase in enquiries and applications.
While Class 12 results are still awaited, colleges are receiving a steady stream of emails and calls regarding seat availability, fee structure and courses on offer.
The surge in local interest comes as several global developments have altered the dynamics of overseas education. Canada has recently imposed a cap on international student permits, while Australia has made its visa regime more stringent with higher English proficiency benchmarks. The US has seen a rise in deportations of Indian students over visa compliance issues. The situation has made many parents wary of sending their children abroad, fearing legal or safety challenges.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has also played a role in reshaping parental perceptions. The ordeal faced by hundreds of Indian students stranded in Ukraine during the war and later evacuated to safety remains fresh in public memory. Many now believe that pursuing higher education closer to home is a safer, more stable option.
“The parents are showing a clear shift in the mindset. They want quality education without risking the uncertainties of foreign systems,” said RS Deol, Director, Lyallpur Khalsa College Technical Campus. “Even as Class 12 results are yet to be declared, we’ve already started receiving a significant number of queries regarding admissions.”
He said the college, a premier technical institution, offered 33 professional and technical programmes across five major schools and anticipated the strength to rise from 3,000 to 3,500 students this year. “With a focus on practical training, corporate interaction and alignment with the NEP 2020, the institution is experiencing a steady annual growth,” he said.
Manbir Singh, Managing Director of CT Group of Institutions, confirmed a sharp rise in admissions this cycle. Over 700 more admissions have been registered this year across CT campuses in Jalandhar and Ludhiana compared to the corresponding period last year. “The visa restrictions by countries like Canada have brought attention back to the local institutions. We have proactively expanded infrastructure, added new hostels and improved campus safety. The numbers show increasing confidence in local higher education,” he said.
Prof Manhar Arora, Managing Director of St Soldier Group of Institutions, said admissions had grown by over 15 per cent in the last two academic sessions. “Post-Covid and with diminishing opportunities for permanent settlement abroad, students are increasingly choosing India-based options — especially in paramedical, pharmacy, law, IT and hotel management. There’s also a noticeable demand for vocational courses that offer early exit points with certification and job readiness,” he added.
Kanya Maha Vidyalaya (KMV) Principal Atima Sharma Dwivedi has reported a similar trend. “The shift in migration patterns has led to a surge in admissions, particularly in our honours and skill development programme. As immigration pathways are tightened and global uncertainties persist, local colleges are emerging as reliable, future-ready alternatives bringing renewed focus to the value of quality education in India,” she added.
Punjab