Thiruvananthapuram: The state government has come up with rules to put an end to individuals being defrauded by private agencies in the name of study abroad programmes. Mandatory registration will be instituted to regulate agencies and a state-level authority will also be in place to oversee student immigration. A database of students going abroad and recruiting agencies will also be prepared. The draft was prepared by the Higher Education council and submitted to the state government. 

The move is to introduce the bill in the assembly session beginning on January 25. An expert committee was formed under the leadership of Saji Gopinath, Vice chancellor of the Digital University. The report prepared by this committee was recently approved by the Higher Education Council. 

As of now, the government does not have a clear estimate of how many Malayalis are studying abroad. There are also widespread complaints of fraud by agencies in this regard. It is reported that over three thousand private agencies are functioning in the state.

For official recruitment to foreign countries, the requirement is to get registration from the Ministry of External Affairs on payment of Rs 50 lakh. Most agencies do not follow this. Instead most operate under a private trade license. 

Other recommendations

  • A student registration portal under Norka or the Higher Education Council
  • Comprehensive database of agencies 
  • Formal system for grievance and redressal
  • A system in the council for foreign education guidance
  • National-level monitoring committee in association with the central government