INDIA: Institutes woo students in west Asia

Leading universities and technical institutions in Pune, India, have launched a major effort to tap students from the vast Indian diaspora in west Asian countries, for admission to engineering courses for the academic year 2009-10, writes Vishwas Kothari in the Times of India. Institutions are allowed a 15% quota for foreign nationals, non-resident Indians, people of Indian origin and children of workers in Gulf countries.

The quota is over and above the sanctioned student intake for each institution. Students admitted through the foreign quota end up paying fees that are two to five times more than the fee paid by regular Indian students. Also, the fees foreign nationals pay come in vital foreign exchange.

For example, the prestigious College of Engineering, Pune, will charge US$5,000 per annum fee to a foreign student. The college, which became an autonomous institution in 2003-04, has been exploring various ways of shoring up its revenue.
Full report on the Times of India site