AMN/ WEB DESK
Fate of thousands of Indian students pursuing their higher studies in China is in limbo as there is no clarity and indication from Chinese side on their return to the campuses. Due to COVID-19 outbreak in China, over 20000 Indian students have been returning to their motherland at different stages since January 2020.
They along with many other foreign students are now waiting for the past many months to return and fully resume their studies. Many of them are stuck for 11 months now, losing almost a year.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Thursday said, China will assess the situation concerning resumption of studies in China for foreign students and will continue discussing that with all parties. He said it requires colleges and universities to keep in close contact with overseas students, carefully arrange online courses for them, and properly address their legitimate concerns and needs.
However, students who spoke to Prasar Bharati told that online courses have limited utility and there has been no communication from Chinese side on their return. Indian Embassy in China is in touch with Chinese Ministry of Education but received no response in recent times. It had earlier advised the Indian students to remain in touch with their respective universities and colleges in China for their return.
Due to COVID-19 outbreak, China restricted the entry of foreigners. It later allowed entry of some category of foreigners, but foreign students have not been allowed yet. Before the COVID-19 outbreak, over 23,000 students from India studied in China, according to official data from Chinese Ministry of Education. Out of which, around 21,000 students are pursuing medicine across China and rest are enrolled in management courses, doctorate courses among others. Indians were the fourth-largest group among foreign students in China.
COVID-19 disturbed the plans of many Indians to come to China for studies. This unending delay by China may further lead Indian students to rethink about choosing China as their destination for higher studies.