When India opened its doors to liberalization in 1991, did we expect it to make an impression on our youth? Did we visualize the free liberal policies to eventually impact the education sector and bring home easy access to qualitative and affordable education of global repute? In those days, with privatization, did we expect to bring the Ivy Leagues and the Russell Groups to our cities as well?
It all began with the invasion (yes) of the Cambridge International and the International Baccalaureate curriculums. Today 5 – 7 years later, every institution wants to go ‘International’. It’s not a fad, it’s a necessity. And I’m glad I was one of the initiators of this evolution in India.
Having said that, the evolution cycle is most active today. In the recent years it has permeated all fields of education namely undergraduate, post graduate and distance learning. In fact this relaxation in policies seems to have given the term ‘Distance Learning’ a new meaning all together – Twinning facilities in accredited programmes where periodic off-shore and on campus learning leads to complete and holistic education.
I have great faith in this new system of education. At ECube Global College, one of the pioneers in India for twinning programmes in Engineering, the association with Newcastle University in the UK is the result of the laissez-faire education policies developing in the nation. The students study the University’s course in India for a year and then apply for the second year of the corresponding degrees at the University. Course work, curricula, modules are all set by the University and are the same as taught in the first year there. Stringent qualitative measures are adapted to ensure that delivery is on par and the educational environment is similar to that at the University. Upon completion of the third year at Newcastle, the students are awarded their degrees that are accredited by the respective councils in the UK. Admission to the Indian campus is relatively easier in this case as the students and are not pitched against all the thousands who apply to the University directly.
Similarly, strategic partnerships with awarding bodies like Edexcel for Management programmes is another pathway that is successfully established at ECube Global and is well-sought after.
Similarly, strategic partnerships with awarding bodies like Edexcel for Management programmes is another pathway that is successfully established at ECube Global and is well-sought after.
Like they say, you win some you lose some. What works in favor of the students is that this sort of an arrangement can be relatively less expensive than spending three whole years at University. An off-shore campus targets only domestic students and so boarding, lodging expenses are eliminated. Besides, the cost of materials is cheaper in India than in the UK and the rest of the world, so there is a considerable saving there as well. Most importantly, these institutes charge only about 50 – 60% of the actual course fees because the curriculum in not developed by them but licensed from the foreign Universities. Other expenses such as property, faculty, personnel etc are lower in developing nations and this again helps reduce the course fees.
On the flip side, there is a strong possibility that students may feel cheated of a university experience because they will be attending singular colleges on the off-shore campuses. However, institutions are looking at this factor minutely and working towards creating the required and congenial atmosphere that is a given in any undergraduate experience.
Probably even the adage “It’s a win win situation” applies to these students. They get to enroll in some of the most well-known Universities in the world, without the stress of application forms, UCAS or Common Application deadlines, essays, counselor evaluations etc. They enjoy a confirmed position in the second/third year of the corresponding degree at the University. Their transition from college to University is seamless and handled with care and attention.
Owing to their sizes, these Colleges tend to adapt a personal attitude towards the students. Fresh off high-school, students usually find it difficult to cope with the rigorous engineering programmes they enroll in. Extra attention, in these private colleges, helps them to survive the demanding courses and gives them the confidence they need to eventually excel.
Owing to their sizes, these Colleges tend to adapt a personal attitude towards the students. Fresh off high-school, students usually find it difficult to cope with the rigorous engineering programmes they enroll in. Extra attention, in these private colleges, helps them to survive the demanding courses and gives them the confidence they need to eventually excel.
With regards to subject content, Indian universities spend a whole year touching upon all fields of the subjects, thereby giving the student an overall perspective of Engineering or Management. On the other hand, foreign universities adapt advanced pedagogical policies and these allow students to start directly with their subject content. Often this saves time, money and ensures that the interest level of the student is maintained towards his chosen subject.
Electronics as a topic is interesting and to use electronics in the classrooms for effective delivery is even more so. New and private colleges use a lot of technology to teach students about technology. Smartboards, laptops, calculators, projectors etc are common features in classrooms today and help in translating the lessons clearly to the students. They also double up as excellent archiving sources for those who wish to go back any to lesson or chapter at a later date.
Following a University curriculum also ensures that you are teaching updated information at all times. Universities like Newcastle University, ranked in the top 20 in UK, have strong research divisions that spend a lot of time and effort in working with the industry in developmental activities. One of the advantages of this is that the University is very well connected with the industrial sector and so its students are well sought after and easily absorbed. Another advantage is that because of research their course content is usually the most updated and advanced. Learning from such universities will help the students to be ahead of their times and will allow them to be accepted in the employment sector easily.
It is about time that such practices became common. With more universities setting up campuses in India, our children will not have to travel far for good education. With the growing economic sector, India has emerged to be a dynamic environment to study in. It offers qualitative exposure to students that enhances their portfolios and allows them to stand on the same platform as their peers the world over.
Where we stand today, the evolution cycle is far from being complete. The end will be the new beginning.
ECube Global College of Science, Engineering and Management
The college provides courses in Computing Science, Electronic Engineering and Mechanical Engineering with Newcastle University. With Edexcel, they offer Management courses with specialization in HR, Accounting and Marketing. The courses cover similar material to the first year degree courses in these subjects at the Universities abroad. Newcastle University has assisted in the development of the Engineering courses and recognizes the Programme as a suitable qualification for direct admission to the second year of the corresponding degree programmes at Newcastle. Edexcel and Newcastle University provide support for the Programmes to help maintain quality standards. The Programmes will be recognized for advanced entry by other high ranking universities in the UK and in other countries.
ECube Global College | Newcastle University | Courses Offered | Contact Us | Campus
