The dragon races ahead

In 2010 Obama talked of an ‘ education arms race’ with China. With $ 100 billion academic investments by China in 2011, the race has only just begun.

Today China is the world’s sixthlargest destination for foreign education. Official government statistics state that there is an ongoing annual 20 per cent increase in the international student body. Figures also show that over 1,95,503 overseas students from 188 countries and regions came to study in China in 2007. China it seems has become a popular choice for many, especially in the field of medicine. In 2003, Chinese medical schools began admitting large numbers of international students, mostly from India, for medical education in English. Today the number of Indian students pursuing an MBBS has grown to an estimated 8000. Despite ample opportunities for medical studies in India, students still want to experience their share of the Chinese economy. “Mandarin and English is a potent mix in today’s world. Experience in China definetely gives you an edge in the job market. There is a lot one can learn when living in China and it isn’t limited to just books. The Chinese people strongly uphold values of respect, courage and integrity. These are things that are worth learning outside of the classroom,” says Chetan Bhagat, who spent eight years working in Hong Kong. China’s growing appeal is also due to its low tuition fees and connectivity to the Indian subcontinent. Students don’t feel so far away from home and it is easier to return from China than other countries. The same reasons should make Russia and Eastern Europe attractive, however, Indian students claim to feel far ‘ safer’ in China. The Chinese government has also contributed its share to the education sector. China offers over 10,000 annual scholarships to foreign students which is