In the past year, Canada has attracted the largest number of international students from India, with a total of 226,450 students. Some of the universities in the country perform well in the global rankings. While the visa scams and deportation of Indian students have raised concerns, there are many other minor issues that students need to pay attention to like their study abroad application.
Dr David C Malloy, President of King’s University College, Canada tells indianexpress.com that most students’ admission application lacks the touch of personal experiences and a demonstration of a passion for their chosen field of study. Besides sharing what Indian students need to do to better their college applications, he discusses the rising visa scams in Canada.
Here are some excerpts from the interview.
Q. Some Indian students have had to leave Canada over fake papers. How do you ensure students with genuine papers get admitted to the varsity? Moreover, has any student from King’s University been told to leave by the authorities? How do you plan to offer help to such students?
Due to the multi-level evaluations and checks in place at King’s, such kinds of issues have not emerged from India. Nonetheless, King’s University strongly encourages students to collaborate with reputable agents since the repercussions of having to send someone back can be detrimental not only to the student and their family but also to the university and other students. By working with agents who have a proven track record, the likelihood of such issues is significantly reduced.
In addition, we recognise the importance of building a strong connection with Indian students who aspire to study abroad. To achieve this, King’s has established a representative in India who is based in Delhi. He can help facilitate the process for students and provide them with the necessary support to ensure a smooth transition to their studies at the varsity.
By having a representative based in India, King’s aims to create a more accessible and supportive environment for Indian students who wish to study at the university.
Q. Considering that the UGC is now inviting foreign universities to set up campuses in India, is King’s University College planning to take this step?
Presently, King’s University College has no plans to set up a campus in India. However, we are excited about exploring cross border collaborations with Indian educational institutions and industry partners. During our recent visit to India, we successfully signed MoUs with GD Goenka University, Symbiosis Centre for International Education (SCIE) and Don Bosco School. These partnerships will benefit the exchange of students, faculty, and staff involved as an opportunity to develop new perspectives, ideas, and knowledge.
Q. Canada is a popular study abroad destination for Indian students. Are there any special programmes, scholarships in place to attract Indian students to King’s University College?
During our recent visit to India, King’s University College announced a new student award for Indian students, which offers financial aid of a maximum value of $32,000 for over four years. The award is a testament to King’s commitment to attracting and supporting talented and ambitious students from India.
This award, coupled with other financial support programmes, aims to assist new incoming Indian students to achieve their academic and professional goals at King’s. It is part of King’s recruitment strategy of bringing diverse minds to the campus and supporting future leaders.
To qualify for the King’s International Student award, new incoming students from India must meet the eligibility criteria and maintain full-time registration at King’s University College each year. The award can provide around $6,500 each year for up to four years for Bachelor of Management and Organisational Studies students or $8,000 each year for up to four years in all other degree programs for students starting their education at King’s Fall 2023 onwards.
We also offer an on-campus work programme for international students where they can gain work experience and earn up to $2,500 a year. This is in addition to our academic entrance scholarships which start at $2,500 and go up to an additional $5,000. There are continuing scholarships available in the second, third and fourth year of college as well.
Q. Which courses have been more popular among Indian students?
At King’s College, Indian students make up 22.8 per cent of the total international student population, and this number is growing annually. Most of these students are interested in pursuing Management studies, specifically in the fields of finance and accounting. Additionally, there is an increasing trend of Indian students studying economics and psychology at King’s.
Q. Has the number of Indian students increased since after the pandemic?
We are rebuilding after the pandemic, and we have seen a steady increase over the last years.
Q. Are there any particular areas which you would advise Indian students to work on, before applying to your university?
Foreign students often face challenges with their English language proficiency when pursuing studies in an English-speaking country. However, Indian students are typically well-prepared academically and exhibit strong leadership skills, thereby making language proficiency less of a concern. Nonetheless, it is important for Indian students to emphasise their strengths when applying to universities abroad. This can be achieved by highlighting academic accomplishments, sharing personal experiences, and demonstrating a passion for their chosen field of study.
Moreover, when applying to universities abroad, Indian students should focus on highlighting not only their academic achievements but also their personal qualities and experiences. This can help to distinguish them from other applicants and make their application stand out.
By showcasing their strengths, students can demonstrate their unique perspectives and talents, which can add value to the university community. Ultimately, the goal is for Indian students to present a well-rounded and compelling application that showcases their potential as scholars and future leaders in their field of study.