STUDYING ABROAD has its own attractions. One is exposed to a range of new emerging technologies. Even as higher education, especially professional education in India, is undergoing a lot of changes, students with a professional degree from abroad are still looked up to.

 Russia has been a major centre for such studies earlier when bilateral ties with the erstwhile USSR had been on a high. The Russian Fedaration continues to invite students to Russia.

  An exhibition of various universities in Russia was organised in the city by the Russian Centre of Science & Culture and Study Abroad Educational Consultants on Monday. The oneday exhibition at Hotel Avenue Regent attracted a number of enquiries. About 50-60 odd persons registered themselves seeking more information.

  According to Ramdas R. Varma of Sterling Education Services, Ravipuram, which is coordinatng the exhibition, last year about 11 students took up courses in Russia. Says Kolakovskaya Tatiana of the Department of Educational and Cultural Programs, Russian Governmental Centre for International and Cultural Cooperation, apart from medical and engineering courses, there are music academies and aviation courses which are offered by various colleges.

  Interested students can contact the Cultural centres in Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai or New Delhi or Mumbai any time of the year for more information on higher studies, Ms. Tatiana said.

  Seven universities have sent representatives to the exhibitions in India. They have been divided into two groups for presentations in various cities. Some universities have counseling and spot admission facilities too.

  According to the Cultural centre representatives, about 30 universities in Russia are among the top 100 universities of the world. Moscow Medical Academy, The Russian State Medical University and St. Petersburg State Medical University have the second, third and tenth positions respectively.

  But students pursuing MBBS courses in Russia will have to pass another test in paraclinical, clinical and gynaecology and obstetrics for practice in India. "This is to make them eligible for treating patients in Indian conditions," says Mr. Varma. It is test which any qualified doctor can undertake without much trouble, he adds.

  The MBBS course is available both in English and Russian medium, though the Russian medium would take seven years to complete. The first year is dedicated to studying the language. The annual fee ranges from 1,500 to 2,500 U.S. dollars for medical studies in the Russian medium. The costs will range from 2,500 to 4,000 U.S. dollars if students opt for the English medium instead. Up to 1,000 dollars may be required additionally every year as living expenses.

  The minimum eligibility criteria is to have passed the subjects of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English individually and a minimum of 50 per cent marks together in Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

  For admissions to engineering colleges, a minimum of 40 per cent marks in higher secondary is required. Only a few streams like mechanical, electrical, chemical and computer engineering are available in the English medium. The rest are in Russian.

  Though there is an option to study in English, the students will ultimately have to learn Russian since interaction with patients is necessary in the medical profession, says Ms. Tatiana. Moreover, the students are given a few Russian conversation classes to help them get by, she adds.

  The Russian Cultural Centre had been organising these exhibitions for the last three years now and the response is increasing, Ms. Tatiana says. There were some difficulties during the first exhibition but now it is perfect, she adds.

Courtesy : THE NEW HINDU