INTERNATIONAL
In a survey of over 100 agents, it has been revealed that nearly two-thirds of Indian and Nepalese agents collaborate with other recruiters to connect students with education providers they lack official agreements with. This practice raises questions about the genuineness of students.
Agents Worried About Student Misrepresentation:
90% of agents expressed serious concerns about potential students misleading themselves. They fear misleading of educational backgrounds, financial status, and English language proficiency of Students. This concern focuses on the need for stricter regulations and oversight in the field.
Sub-Agent Usage in India and Nepal:
The survey also highlighted differences in practices between Indian and Nepalese agents. Nepalese agents are far more likely to take on students referred by sub-agents, with 84% of them doing so, compared to 47% of Indian agents. This indifference calls for clearer regulations and guidelines surrounding the use of sub-agents.
AAERI’s Guidelines for Agent Practices
The Association of Australian Education Representatives in India (AAERI) has advised agents to declare their partnerships with sub-agents to universities. They have also stressed, that the primary agent should be responsible for various aspects, including admissions processing and visa applications. If sub-agents played a major role, firstly they should be trained and their details should be listed on the company’s website.
The Importance of Face-to-Face Interaction:
Nishidhar Borra, AAERI president, emphasized the need for face-to-face interactions, stating that online counseling doesn’t effectively work in India and Nepal. It’s crucial for agents to get to know the students personally.
Supporting Agents for Quality Recruitment:
AAERI has suggested ways, how institutions and governments can support agents, such as making interviews with universities compulsory and verifying documents through tools like Digi locker. They also stressed that reviews of agent performance should prioritize quality over quantity.
Challenges in Visa Approvals and Immigration Policy:
Agents have also raised concerns about the lack of transparency in government decision-making regarding visa approvals and frequent changes in immigration policies. They appreciate recent reforms but suggest further improvements, like linking visas to institutions and visa related problems.
The Threat of Rogue Operators:
Agents also expressed concerns about rogue operators posing as education agents and charging students upfront while offering fraudulent academic credentials. This highlights the need for alertness in the industry.
These findings shed light on the challenges and practices within the student recruitment industry in India and Nepal, emphasizing the importance of regulating sub-agent networks and ensuring the authenticity of students seeking education abroad.
Read more on: GURUBAA
