Indian admissions to China's med colleges hangs fire

Beijing, Sep 7 (UNI) Chinese medical colleges were an affordable option for Indians who fail to gain admission to their country's institutions but clouds of uncertainty seem to hover over the career dreams of this year's aspirants.

The Medical Council of India's sudden to decision to derecognise Chinese medical degrees, may proved to be a ''speedbreaker'' to the tremendous rush of Indians wishing to realise higher education goals in China.

The MCI has refused to aknowledge degrees following complaints of deficient infrastructure. The report of the then Indian ambassador to China, confirmed non-availability of properly qualified English-speaking lecturers in some Chinese colleges.

With their fate hanging in balance, more than 6,000 Indians are studying in 20 Chinese medical institutions.

The introduction of English as a medium of instruction and opening of varsities for international students since 2004 triggered the flux from India. However, the MCI decision has dampened the spirit of Indian aspirants.

Though Andhra Pradesh High Court ruled in the students' favour, banks seem to be in a fix and are not yet forth coming in sanctioning education loans for the Chinese degrees. About 2,000-3,000 students annually seek admission to various Chinese medical institutions from southern India, particularly Andhra Pradesh. Most of them belong to the middle class and have been availing education loans.

On compassionate grounds, Chinese institutions have indicated extension of the deadline till the end of this month to enable Indians to secure berths in medical courses, says Mr V R Ram, Chief Executive of the Hyderabad-based Medico Abroad.

He alleges the MCI was influenced by certain vested interests to take this ''uncalled-for action, which has caused heavy damage to careers of thousands of students.'' Chinas a preferred choice of NRI's, particularly from Gulf countries.

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