Lok Sabha Question No. 1747 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-27
Subject: Advisory to Indian Students
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL, SANTOSH KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1747 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2016

## ADVISORY TO INDIAN STUDENTS

1747. DR. P. VENUGOPAL: SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has issued an advisory to students that they should  check  the  credibility  of  educational  institutions  in  Northern Cyprus;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  also  asked  the  students  not  to  go  to places where India does not have diplomatic presence;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the number of countries where India does not have diplomatic presence; and
- (f) the measures taken by the Government to have diplomatic presence in these countries?

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## ANSWER (SHRI M. J. AKBAR)

- (a) & (b) Yes.  The  Ministry  of  External  Affairs  issued  on  16  May,  2016  an Advisory  for  Indian  Students  facing  problems  in  Universities  in  northern Cyprus. Details are given in the Annex.
- (c) No such advice has been issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.
- (d) Not applicable.
- (e) India  has  resident  diplomatic  presence  in  123  countries.  In  countries where  there  are  no  resident  Indian  diplomatic  Missions,  resident  Indian Missions in neighbouring countries are concurrently accredited in most cases.
- (f) The  decision  to  open  a  new  Mission  depends  on  a  variety  of  factors including the  level of bilateral  economic,  political  and  people-to-people engagement,  size  of the Diaspora and nature of reciprocal diplomatic presence  in  India  from  the  country  concerned.  The  Ministry  continuously evaluates requirement for new Missions/Posts abroad in consultation with all stakeholders.

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## Advisory for Indian Students facing problems in Universities in northern Cyprus (May 16, 2016)

May 16, 2016

Instances of malpractices have recently been reported by the Indian students who took admission in some universities in the northern part of Cyprus.

In  particular,  complaints  have  been  received  against  "Cyprus  International  University  (CIU)' that has reportedly asked for additional fee from the Indian students after they took admission at that university. Some students have also raised questions about the credibility and recognition of the courses offered by the university.

In general, students seeking admission in universities and institutes abroad are advised to check the  reputation,  ranking  and  background  of  the  institution  and  conduct  thorough  research  as  to whether the certificate/degree granted by them is internationally recognised, and in particular in India.

The Association of Indian Universities (AIU)'s website may also be checked for this purpose. The  contractual  obligations,  terms/conditions,  fee  structure  for  the  course  proposed  may  be studied carefully and if possible, Indian students already studying there and the Indian Mission concerned  may  be  consulted  before  taking  the  final  decision  and  making  any  payment  to  the universities/institutions or their agencies.

In reference to any universities and institutes located in the northern part of Cyprus, it may be noted  that  due  to  political  factors  the  officials  of  the  High  Commission  of  India  in  Nicosia (accredited to Republic of Cyprus) are not in a position to visit the northern part of Cyprus or maintain any contact with the authorities there. Thus, if Indian students studying there face any problem, the officials of High Commission in Nicosia will not be in a position to intervene to help the students.

The Indian students desirous of studying in any universities or institutes in the northern part of Cyprus  may  kindly  take  this  information  into  account  and  consider  studying  in  suitable institutions in other places.

New Delhi May 16, 2016

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