India was once considered the land of knowledge and enlightenment. In ancient times scholars
from all over Asia and Europe used to flock to Taxila, Nalanda and other Indian centres of
learning. Apart from the arts, culture, philosophy and religion, these scholars came to study
medicine, law and martial sciences. But despite having a vastly expanded university system and
historical advantages, modern India has yet to provide international or even regional leadership
in higher education. From the surrounding countries of Asia and Africa only a few students
come to India for higher education. The United States is by far the most successful country in
attracting foreign students. But other countries such as Australia, Canada and Britain also
aggressively market their universities abroad through their education counselling services and
recruitment fairs with the active cooperation of their diplomatic missions abroad. Likewise,
India should also capitalise on the advantages offered by its higher education institutions,
market Indian universities abroad and facilitate the entry of foreign students into them. The
revenue from foreign students can be used to ease the financial crunch faced by Indian
universities, improve academic facilities and subsidise the cost of educating Indian students.
But apart from economic advantages many other benefits would accrue to the nation. India
would gain global and regional influence, goodwill and become a major provider of higher
education. Many Asian and African countries, especially the smaller ones have poorly
developed university systems and would look to Indian universities for the higher education of
their youth. At the same time Indian students will not be deprived if 10 per cent supernumerary
seats for foreign students are created in universities and professional colleges.
Already professional education in India has proved accessible and affordable for foreign
students, especially from Malaysia, the Middle East and South Africa. In these countries higher
education training facilities are limited. Many NRI (Non-Resident Indian) families abroad,
especially those from English-speaking industrialised countries are also keen to send their
children to study in their motherland and hopefully to become attuned to their Indian roots in
the process.
(a) Give the antonym of ‘foreign’ from the passage.
Answers
Answer:
India was once considered the land of knowledge and enlightenment. In ancient times scholars
from all over Asia and Europe used to flock to Taxila, Nalanda and other Indian centres of
learning. Apart from the arts, culture, philosophy and religion, these scholars came to study
medicine, law and martial sciences. But despite having a vastly expanded university system and
historical advantages, modern India has yet to provide international or even regional leadership
in higher education. From the surrounding countries of Asia and Africa only a few students
come to India for higher education. The United States is by far the most successful country in
attracting foreign students. But other countries such as Australia, Canada and Britain also
aggressively market their universities abroad through their education counselling services and
recruitment fairs with the active cooperation of their diplomatic missions abroad. Likewise,
India should also capitalise on the advantages offered by its higher education institutions,
market Indian universities abroad and facilitate the entry of foreign students into them. The
revenue from foreign students can be used to ease the financial crunch faced by Indian
universities, improve academic facilities and subsidise the cost of educating Indian students.
But apart from economic advantages many other benefits would accrue to the nation. India
would gain global and regional influence, goodwill and become a major provider of higher
education. Many Asian and African countries, especially the smaller ones have poorly
developed university systems and would look to Indian universities for the higher education of
their youth. At the same time Indian students will not be deprived if 10 per cent supernumerary
seats for foreign students are created in universities and professional colleges.
Already professional education in India has proved accessible and affordable for foreign
students, especially from Malaysia, the Middle East and South Africa. In these countries higher
education training facilities are limited. Many NRI (Non-Resident Indian) families abroad,
especially those from English-speaking industrialised countries are also keen to send their
children to study in their motherland and hopefully to become attuned to their Indian roots in
the process.
(a) Give the antonym of ‘foreign’ from the passage.