The Union Education Ministry is planning to hold a mega event in Dubai around April to promote the ‘Study in India’ initiative and provide information to foreign students seeking higher education in India, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Monday.
“We are planning to have a mega event in Dubai around April… Many expatriates are now in the GCC region. India is close to them. India is a safe and knowledgeable point,” Pradhan said while addressing diplomats from over 50 countries at the ‘India Diplomatic Educational Meet 2026’ in Delhi.
According to officials, the Study in India roadshow was scheduled to begin in Dubai on March 8 with the participation of 30 public and private Indian universities, but was postponed due to the situation in the wake of the US and Israeli strikes on Iran that resulted in the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and Iranian retaliatory strikes on neighboring Gulf states.
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As part of the campaign, the ministry will set up ‘Study in India’ help desks in Indian embassies in selected countries in collaboration with visa facilitation services, in consultation with the Ministry of External Affairs.
“We will start with Southeast Asian and African countries, as we already have good numbers of students from these regions. Many deserving and willing students are unable to come to India due to lack of clear information about quality and affordable education in India. These help desks will ensure proper guidance,” a senior official said.
More than 1.20 lakh foreign students are currently studying in India. The ministry aims to attract two million new foreign students every year by 2030, compared to 35,000 to 45,000 at present. There are 19 campuses of foreign universities in India, three of which are fully operational.
