Tuesday 29 November 2016

International Students Top One Million For First Time US News

Among other Open Doors’ findings:

  • The US institutions drawing the most international students were New York University (15,543), University of Southern California (13,340), Arizona State University (12,751), Columbia University (12,740) and the University of Illinois at Urban-Campaign (12,085).
  • China remains the top country of origin, with almost twice the number of students in the US as India, but India’s rate of growth outpaced China’s. Enrollments from India grew 24.9%, to 165,918 students.
  • Most of India's growth occurred at the graduate level, and particularly via participation in a programme known as optional practical training or OPT, which allows foreign students to work in the United States after earning their degree.
  • OPT enrollments increased 22.6% last year, while undergraduate and graduate enrollments each increased 7.1% and 6.0%, respectively. A federal rule this year lengthened the extension for OPT students in the STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – fields from 17 to 24 months, and enables students to apply for an extension twice during their academic career.
  • Saudi Arabia sent the third-largest number of students, 61,287, to the United States, followed by South Korea, which dropped to fourth place following a 4.2% drop in enrollments, to 61,007.
  • Europe continues to host more than half of all US students going abroad, with about a third of all US students choosing the United Kingdom, Italy or Spain in the 2014-15 academic year.
  • The Ebola crisis likely deterred US students from traveling to Sub-Saharan Africa; that region saw a 20% drop.
  • An 18.2% drop in US enrollments from Brazil was the most dramatic decline, and was attributed primarily to the Brazilian government’s freeze on the budget of its Scientific Mobility Program, which had sponsored many Brazilian students’ US studies.

Thursday 10 November 2016

How Indian Students Abroad Can Get The Indian Notes Exchanged

Right now, the most discussed topic in India is the demonetization of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 notes by the Indian govt. The announcement was made suddenly last evening by the Indian PM Narendra Modi informing the citizens about the recall of the currency notes. This led to a lot of panic and confusion among the people who are scrambling to exchange their notes.



·         The situation is even more confusing for Indian students who are currently studying abroad. Many students going abroad usually carry a few Indian currency notes with them. If you are one of them, what can you do if you are not going to visit India before 31st March 2017?

·         Those of you who have cash on hand but will not be returning before your academic session is over can convert up to Rs. 5000 to foreign currency at the airport exchange counters within 72 hours of the announcement. However, you will have to provide proof of purchasing the specified bank notes.

·         You can get the foreign currency changed into Indian rupees again once you return to India, but it is likely that you will lose money during the exchanges.

·         On the other hand, if you have cash money in India, you can authorize someone living in India to exchange the notes on your behalf by writing an authorization letter to get the notes deposited into your bank account. The authorized person will then go to the bank with an identity card and the permission letter you wrote. 

Things to keep in mind :-

·      All banks will remain closed to public on 9th November 2016.

·         All ATM will not function on 9th and 10th November 2016.

·         Deposit the notes at banks or post offices from 10th November to 30th December.

·         Exchange the notes at a bank or post office till 24th November up to the limit of Rs. 4000.

·         While exchanging the notes, take along your Adhaar Card and PAN card.

·         After 30th December, the notes can be exchanged only at RBI specified offices.



Friday 22 July 2016

MBA in India vs. MBA abroad

A large number of bachelor degree students and almost all employed mid-level executives are in a run for an MBA degree. Students have option to pursue MBA through full-time, part-time, distant and of late online mode. While fresh graduates usually go for full-time course; part-time, distant and online courses are favored by employed executives. They compare options in terms of quality of education, experience, cost, placement, duration, flexibility etc. However the scenario is bit different for fresh graduates aspiring to pursue full-time MBA.

According to Mr. Aslam Shaikh of Aliff Overseas Consultants, full time MBA students often get confused whether to study in India or go abroad. He elaborated and compared between MBA in India and MBA abroad, for students to avoid confusion and get a clear picture. He put into perspective 5 major points, Admission, Duration, Quality, Exposure and Cost.

We will first consider admission into a MBA program. In India students for full-time MBA has to go through a series of admission and screening test to get admission into a MBA program. On the other hand it’s just a single test to qualify for a MBA program. Secondly, Indian MBA programs are 2 years in duration whereas MBA programs abroad ranges between 1 and 2 years in duration.

Speaking of the quality of studies, Mr. Shaikh said, comparatively Indian MBA colleges are decades behind their counterparts abroad. Curriculums in Indian colleges have not been changed since long and miss on the latest developments or demands of the industry. Colleges abroad constantly update their curriculums and align their courses with industry needs.

Fourth most important point according to MR. Shaikh is that students enrolled into foreign universities experience a diverse culture, and global exposure through international internships.Since the focus of the entire MBA curriculum abroad is current industry requirements, so they give stress on acquiring hands-on industry experience through internships. MBA colleges abroad often invites top officials from big international companies as visiting faculties to conduct classes and shares their experience with students.

Mr. Shaikh sighted a practical example “It’s something similar to a big Indian corporate who never tries to find a candidate abroad; and an international company will not search for potential candidate in India. You are always a couple of steps ahead with study abroad programs.”Work experience in an international company, undeniably adds prestige and profile to a student’s Resume. Moreover you stand a chance against your international peers to bag an international job.

Mr. Shaikh concluded with the most important point in this debate by comparing the cost. “Students and parents alike live with the myth that studying abroad is expensive and will cost them a fortune. It’s time to come out of such thinking and compare the cost vis-à-vis. Students and parents will get surprised, it’s the same or in some case may be even less expensive to study MBA abroad.” Mr. Shaikh headed Aliff overseas, a premier study abroad consultant based in Mumbai, offers students with study abroad at Indian cost options. An average Indian student spends around 6 to 15 lakhs for MBA in India; studying MBA abroad costs something in between 6-18 lakhs.

International MBA students get to cover a part of their expenses through part-time jobs, which you cannot do in India. They also get stay back options to find jobs in foreign countries and generally land up working for good international companies.

Saturday 14 May 2016





TRIAL AND ERROR WITH YOUR CAREER WILL ONLY RUIN YOUR FUTURE

Students looking forward to studyabroad often get lost in the application complexities and lack of information while applying for international universities. They also end up paying more instead of saving on tuition fees and academic credits as well.
The start point is of course finding the right course or course combination and the right university. Internet has brought us a whole world of information at our fingertips. The point lies in fishing out what one require from this vast sea of information. Even if you figure out what's required, the second most important step involves meticulously preparing your application. Your dream university may slip out of your hand just because of a single mistake.
Even if you cross all this hurdle, you may still get stuck with the visa process. In a nutshell, securing admission in an international university is easy, provided you have the correct information and conversant with the nitty-gritty in application and visa.
Study abroad consultants can be a life saver for aspiring students who don't want to take chance. Those who want to make it in a single go and don't want the hassle should look forward to expert consultants in study abroad.
Aliff overseas, countries premier study abroad consultant has helped thousands of students with their dream courses in dream universities. Founder director of Aliff Overseas Mr AslamShaikh, an avid educationalist and career counselor, shared his experience of over a decade. He cherish the happy faces of students that get admission into top universities across the world. He emphasizes that you should only go for the courses and the university that is best to you. Information is available everywhere but one should be able to filter out only the relevant information.
Aliff Overseas has every required information on courses, specializations, universities and countries. They can pick the right course or specialization that will help you in your future career. Having placed thousands of students in universities across different countries they are well versed with different application processes and different university criteria.
Aliff Overseas also prepare you for your visa interviews, brief you on what the officer might ask you. Another important point is pre-departure counseling. Often students face hurdles overseas, they are not used to the culture, people, language, climate and most importantly the rules and laws of that country. Aliff Overseas arranges pre-departure seminars and prepare students to gel with their country of study.
Mr Shaikh concluded by adding a thought full sentence, "when you can study abroad at the same or less cost as in India, why leave this on chance. Doing trial and error with your career will only ruin your future."




Sunday 17 April 2016

IT'S TIME TO VOICE AGAINST DONATION




Every year students across India aspire to become doctors. Being a doctor is a noble, respected and rewarding profession. Over the years the competition to get a seat in a government medical college has become competitive. Of late it has even become nightmare for parents to admit their children for a medical course. A set of organized businesses, mostly powered and backed by India's political whose who, are setting up private medical colleges and are fleecing parents for their children's dream career.
Indian parents last year shelled out close to Rs.1200 crore towards  donation and capitation fees to secure medical seat for their children. Private medical colleges in Indian are minting on the supply demand gap that government medical colleges have failed to meet for a long time. The actual cost of a medical degree in India from a private medical college could be close to Rs. 1 crore. Moreover the donation paid towards securing the seat is never invested back in infrastructure and academic improvement of the colleges.
This gives rise to the vital question, do you really get what you pay for? Parents seem to have no answer to this, they are left with no other option but to fall prey to the said system. Well it's time to voice and unite against this system, it's time to voice against donation, it's time to save our children's future from this illicit business ventures. It's time to say "NO" to DONATION.
Parents should explore study abroad options for MBBS degree. The cost of studies is not only less than half of what it costs in India, Students don't have to sit for entrance exams or pay any donation either. You get world class education at half the price and without entrance. You can practice in India after appearing for MCI exam.
Indian parents lack information and insight into foreign medical study. Countries like Russia, China, Ukraine and Philippines offers world class medical education without a single penny  donation. These universities rank among top universities of the world and their MBBS degrees are recognized by Medical Council of India, WHO, USMLE, etc. Educationalist Mr. Aslam Shaikh has been long advocating against donation for medical seats. He  still proactively campaign against this donation system. He urges parents from all quarters of our society to stand against and ward off this evil of donation.

Mr. Aslam Shaikh guides students for medical colleges in Russia, China, Ukraine & Philippines. Over the years hundreds of students have so far been benefited by his guidance and counseling. Mr. Shaikh reaffirms that students and parents should say "NO" to DONATION and explore international MBBS options for their bright future.

Monday 21 March 2016

A single mistake can ruin your child's career









Exams are over in almost all schools across India, and students are awaiting their final results. Students of class 12 and their  parents are clueless about the next step for their career. Most of the students and parents didn't even have sufficient information about the options available. Some parents force their children's into courses that they do not like and some have no choice but to opt for whatever course they get admission into.

Parents should have a clear perspective about the strengths and weakness of their children. There is no point in forcing a child to study a subject they don't like or will not have a successful career in future. There are numerous scientific ways to find out the strengths and weaknesses in a student. Parents can avail a psychometric test or an aptitude test or may even go for a DMIA (Dermatoglyphics Multiple Intelligence Analysis)to figure out the strengths and weaknesses of their child.

 

Students and parents should then explore options available within the country and abroad, choose the right course suitable for them. Searching and googling for information could be the start point. One can attend education fairs and attend seminars. A convenient way could be visiting a career counselor or a study abroad consultants. Parents should be careful while availing education consulting services, as most of them provide limited information. Indian education system is yet to address numerous problems for ages, hence Studying abroad is fast becoming popular with aspiring students.
According to Mr Aslam Shaikh of Aliff Overseas, one of the pioneers in Study Abroad consulting, students from India are making beeline to foreign universities. The figures are growing year on year, this has been possible due to favorable conditions and neglected Indian Education System. Students are even bagging 100% scholarship for their studies abroad. There are options to study medicine without CET or paying donation. MBA and Masters programs in Europe are equally popular with students. Mr. Shaikh ends with a note of caution, that every course may not be suitable for your children or may not help him become successful in future. Parents and students as well, need to carefully analyze and weight each available options before taking a decision.

Aliff in Bandra provides comprehensive information and one stop solution for all study abroad need. Aliff Provides all services starting from career counseling till the students arrives in the country of study. They pride in arranging 100% scholarship for deserving students. Aliff has a visa success rate of 98%, one of the highest among study abroad consultants. They also coach students for IELTS, TOEFL, PTE & GRE. One can sum-up Aliff Overseas as a single window solution for Study Abroad.

Friday 5 February 2016


Welder’s son bags Rs 1.2 crore with Microsoft job -

In a heartening story of triumph in the face of adversity, a Khagaria welder's son, Vatsalya Chauhan, has bagged a 1.02 crore per annum job at IT giant Microsoft. A final year computer science student at IIT-Kharagpur, Vatsalya was picked by Microsoft during a campus placement drive in December 2015.
"I still remember the interview which began at 4am. The written test, a day before, continued late into the night, and I couldn't catch a wink," an elated Vatsalya told TOI over phone from Kharagpur.
In fact, Vatsalya had almost missed the IIT bus.
"I went to Kota in 2009, but, midway through the preparations, I lost interest in engineering. I started reading books on mathematics and physics and wanted to write a book myself. But, when I took my first attempt at JEE in 2011 half-heartedly, I realized I had made a mistake by not studying seriously," he said, and added that one of his mentors, Vishal Joshi, was instrumental in helping him prepare by staying at Kota for another year.
While Vatsalya had cleared JEE in his first attempt, his rank was not good and it was in his second attempt in 2012 that he cleared JEE with an All India Rank 382.
"That year, I was also the Bihar topper in AIEEE," says Vatsalya who completed his schooling from government schools in Khagaria and Begusarai.Eldest among six siblings, 21-year-old Vatsalya will join Microsoft in October 2016 as a software engineer at Redmond in the US. His mother Renu Deviis a homemaker.
"We had taken a loan for his higher studies and we are extremely happy that he has made it so big. One of his brothers is preparing for engineering while a sister is preparing for medical entrance exam at present," Vatsalya's father Chandrakant Singh told TOI. Asked about any advice for aspiring engineers, Vatsalya said, "The good thing is that the syllabus is limited. It only requires methodical study."
Vatsalya also said the study materials provided by coaching institutes in Kota were better than in Patna, despite the cost of tuitions being almost same in both the places. He added that anyone who wants to contact him for any guidance is welcome to do so through Facebook, e-mail or phone.
"I really like teaching and am ready to help anyone who wants to learn," he said.
Article from The Times of India

Monday 1 February 2016

Permanent Residency Post-Studies

A skewed population distribution across countries has left no other option but to offer PR(permanent residency) for some countries. These countries have shortage in manpower to keep thing going. The flip-side to PR is that quality people are hard to find. Checks and balances have been put in place by these countries to choose the right candidates for PR.
These countries emphasizes on providing PR to those who opt for education in that country. This is a win-win situation wherein PR offering country gets well educated personal and the student gets exposure to working in international market. More and more Indian students are going for overseas education in these PR offering countries, wherein they get quality education as well as a bright future.

Friday 29 January 2016



Send 10k PhD students each year to US: Narayana Murthy
BENGALURU: Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy has said India and the US should work on an agreement to send 10,000 Indian students to the US to do their PhDs in important areas in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education, every year over the next 50 years. This, he said, would cost the government approximately $5 billion a year - a small sum considering the benefits it would have in terms of creating lots of innovative solutions that can solve problems across sectors in India.
The agreement, he said, should make it clear that the students would not be given employment in the US once they finish their PhDs and they would have to come back to India and serve here for at least 10 years.
"The US will also benefit from this arrangement. There will be a large number of Indian students working on problems that will add value to US academicians," he said. He also suggested that India issue 10-year multiple-entry visas every year to hundreds of thousands of graduate students from the US. Speaking at the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce Conclave 2020 on Friday in Bengaluru, he said one of the offshoots of this strategy is greater collaboration between the Indian and US academia in developing solutions in emerging areas like the internet of things (IoT), where devices would be talking to each other and talking to your phone. "India has to become a partner in adding value to the US companies by developing advanced software in IoT not just for US companies, but the customers of US companies. This requires us to train our youngsters in adaptive control and handling analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog framework and digital devices. They have to be taught how to write and optimize code since the response time is critical in these applications," he said.Murthy also said one of the areas neglected is opening India to foreign universities. "Even though former PM Manmohan Singh wanted to open India to foreign universities, for some reason, we have not made progress. But it's important that we immediately take steps towards this if we want our grand-children and their children to be in an India which is economically strong," he said.
Article from the times of India
www.aliffoverseas.com

Thursday 28 January 2016

Destination Germany




With high number of Indian students opting for international degree last year, Germany is emerging as a new favorite. Indian students have started exploring new destinations of late and have found Germany among EU to be the most suitable one. Located centrally in the heart of Europe, Germany offers free education to students. Courses are offered in English and students have option to stay back for work experience after studies. Education being free in Germany it practically costs next to nothing for Indian students to avail German education. At a time when the entire Europe is proposing against work visa post studies, Germany officially offers eighteen months post study work visa. Moreover it much easier to get admission in German universities compared to other international destinations.

Friday 22 January 2016

Sunny life post-studies





We all came across huge stats charting the amount of Indian students studying in foreign colleges. What are the popular destinations and which are the popular subjects?
But have you ever thought why so many people spend premium money on study abroad, when it’s cheaper and even subsidized in our own country. What is the extra advantage and why to opt for?
Well it’s the life after studies, the quality of lifestyle and the confidence to be at par with developed countries. International education provides opportunity to explore world-class education, premium lifestyle, and global work-culture. A huge number of students even stay back for a long period of time gaining valuable global work experience or even get a permanent residency. International education is much more rewarding in many ways considering the cost

Tuesday 19 January 2016



UK varsities steal the show


Almost half of the UK’s total number of universities featured in 2016 Times Higher education list of the 200 most international universities in the world. The list is topped by the Qatar University, followed by Luxembourg in the second place and the University of Hong Kong in the third place. The National University of Singapore
and the Imperial College London are ninth and tenth respectively.
American universities featured poorly in the list and only a few could make it to the list. Australia has only 24 universities in the list, with only 16 in the top 100. Switzerland is third among the 28 countries featured in the list, having only 10 universities listed. New Zealand could get only 6 universities listed among the top 100. Canada, Denmark and Ireland have three universities each in the top 100.
On the other hand 64 UK universities featured in the list of 2016. The University of Oxford and University College London (=18th), King’s College London (20th) University of Essex (21st), the London School of Economics and Political Science (22nd), Queen Mary University of London (23rd) and Queen’s University Belfast (24th) make the Top 25.
The US, which features relatively poorly in the rankings because its students and faculty are much more “home-grown”, rightly pointed by Mr. Aslam Shaikh of Aliff Overseas Consultants. This is the reason why US manages only one university – Massachusetts Institute of Technology – in the Top 100 and then only in 90th place. There are only eight more in the lower half of the ranking. Aliff Overseas Consultants places students in top rated universities across the world and regularly keeps track of university ranking. Mr. Shaikh advises students to choose only the best, to get the edge in terms of quality education and post studies placement.