This document discusses the pros and cons of using educational agents for international student recruitment in India. It provides an overview of India's complex education system and the growing demand for overseas education. While agents can help increase exposure and conversions, there are also concerns about a lack of regulation and ethical practices. The presentation considers different recruitment models and encourages attendees to discuss what works best for their individual institutions.

1. Recruiting in India:
To Agent or not to Agent ??
Presented by: Holly Singh, Valparaiso University
Bev Fowler, University of Evansville
Husain F. Neemuchwala, ICE Inc.
Welcome

2. Presentation format
• Recruiting models…
• Agent’s role in recruiting
• India: A complex education system
• Agent: Solution or part of the problem?
• Use of agents: Moral, ethical and/or Is it
permissible at your institution?
• Open Discussion…what works best for you?

3. Traditional Recruiting Model
• Use dedicated Application Processing Center
• Huge budgets required
• Alumni network…
• Lower % conversion ratio depending on each
institution
• Strong Community Presence & sponsorship of
local events

4. Agent Recruiting Model
• ‘Reach out’ to wider audience
• Competitive institutional advantage
amongst others
• Information remains (un)distorted?
• Less expensive than traditional model
• ‘Ready students’ generating higher
conversion % for institution

5. Agent’s role in recruiting
Agent
Qualified Students
Your University

6. Working with Agents
• Exposure to thousands of students looking to
pursue overseas education, families & friends
• Instructors, Teachers, Principals and Deans
• Has Understanding of local market (?)
• No annual membership fees!
• Adds to your brand image and visibility in
local market

7. India
The Economy
One of the world’s fastest growing economies and largest retail markets
The Population
Exceeding 1.1 B and growing…
Official Languages
2 (English and Hindi)
Trends…
Largest exporter of foreign students for 3rd consecutive year

8. India: Change & Continuity in
civilization & education
• Unique & diverse history: >5000 years
• Ancient Universities:Taxila, Nalanda etc..
• Principle languages: English & Hindi
• Major religious groups: Hindu & Muslim
• Other groups: Anglo, Portuguese, Jews,
Sikhs, Zorastarians…

9. The Education System:
Uniform elements
Primary Secondary
Middle/Upper Primary Higher Secondary
 UT’s & States operate on this uniform structure

10. The Education System:
Some differences
 BUT, many States & UT’s treat certain
variables differently:
√ # of classes/stage √ Admission age
√ Instruction medium √ Hindi & English
√ # of days/yr √ Academic session
√ Compulsory education √ Public exams

11. The Education System:
Some fundamentals
Primary Stage Middle Stage
• Typical ages 5 to 10 • Typical ages 11 to 14
• Lasts 5 years • Lasts 3 years
• Focuses on Elementary • Prepares for Secondary
education education

12. The Education System:
Some more fundamentals
Secondary Stage Higher Secondary Stage
• Typical ages 14 to 16 • Typical ages 16 to 18
• Lasts for 2 years • Lasts for 2 years
• Focuses on HS • Focuses on University/
education & working College prep &
world preparation Technical/Vocational
training

13. General Points
• 20 States/UT’s have not introduced
compulsory education
• Mother tongue/regional language is the
medium of instruction
• Teaching of Hindi is mandatory up to
preparatory level
• Teaching of English is mandatory in
post secondary and beyond

14. Major Players in Higher
Education
(AICTE) All India Council for (MCI) Medical Council of India
Technical Ed.
(DEC) Distance Ed. Council (PCI) Pharmacy Council of India
(ICAR) Indian Council for Agric. (INC) Indian Nursing Council
Research
(BCI) Bar Council of India (DCI) Dentist Council of India
(NCTE) National Council for (CCH) Central Council of
Teacher Ed. Homeopathy
(RCI) Rehabilitation Council of (CCIM) Central Council of Indian
India Medicine

15. Higher Secondary Grads
• HSC (Higher Secondary School Certificate)
or Certificate of Vocational Education
• Graduates may attend a National
Eligibility Test (NET) for admittance into
Higher Education Institutions

16. Higher Education At a Glance
Number of Universities 214
Number of Colleges 9730
Fields of Study Arts, Humanities, Fine
Arts,Sciences, Technology
Current # of Students ~6.75 Million
Languages of Instruction English, Hindi, Bengali, Gujarati,
Punjabi, Tamil, Urdu
Duration of School Year July to April
Program Levels Diploma, Bachelor’s, Master’s,
Doctoral

17. New initiatives in
International Co-operation
• APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation)
• Commonwealth
• G-8
• UNESCO

18. Education Expenditure
• Spending has grown from 1% to 4% of
GDP in the last 50 years
• Thus, education quality is better than
ever
• But, this is still insufficient to cover
the growing population
• Projected growth 6% of GDP under new
Government

19. Education Expenditure
• Currently, needs and costs out weigh
governmental commitment and resources
• Per capita expenditure is also inconsistent
throughout States:
Rank Most Funding Least Funding
1 Lakshwadweep Bihar
2 Sikkim Uttar Pradesh
3 A&N Islands Orissa

20. The need for overseas Education
• Fiercely competitive nature of admission
(eg.40 apps. for 1 Medical seat; 30 apps.
for 1 Engineering seat…)
• Challenge in screening applications
• Students have need, want & aspirations
• Students are highly educated
• Students have the financial resources

21. Overseas Educational Pursuits
• In 2002, over 0.5 M Indian students
sought an overseas higher education
• N. America, UK & Australia are most
popular destinations!
• Increasingly growing trend!

22. Strengths of the System
• Rich diversity • Emphasis on
• Rapidly Growing women’s education
educated population • World’s largest
• English & academic middle class market
skills, strong financial
backing • Overseas education
• Frontier sciences such more attainable
as Nano, bio, info …
technologies

23. Weaknesses of the System
 Disparity in the  Spending on
economic system education is
leading to insufficient
corruption
 Education denied to
 Large population is
hard to motivate more people as
against corruption resources fail to
 Examinations grow with
susceptible to be population
bought/forged

24. Agent: Solution or part of the problem?
• Agents are ‘not regulated’ and DO NOT
necessarily adhere to code of ethics
• Besides commissions, they also charge
counseling fees to students!
• Some agents ‘guarantee’ admissions and
scholarships!!
• Due diligence on school’s part to find the
right agent.

25. Discussion
• Valparaiso University….Successfully
recruiting WITHOUT agents.

26. Discussion
• University of Evansville…Successfully
recruiting USING agents.

27. Discussion
• Consult/check with peers
• Is agent use going to work at your school?
• When in doubt, ask around…

28. Thank you for attending