Andhra Pradesh   

Chinese answer to Indian students'medical dreams

R. Ravikanth Reddy

EducationPlus There's a growing craze for earning a medical degree in China and coming home to make a career

THERE'S HOPE: No need to despair if the doors of Indian medical colleges are closed to you. China and Russia are offering high quality medical degrees at affordable prices. — Photo: K. R. Deepak.

A stethoscope hanging around the neck of their wards is the dream of most Telugu parents cutting across social and economic status. Till a few years ago only a few lucky ones could realise this dream. A rejection from a medical college often meant the door to prosperity was closed forever.

The scenario has changed in the last four to five years. Pursuing medical education abroad, if the doors are closed in India, is no longer a rich kid's prerogative.

From long-time favourites like the United States and Russia, the one phrase that made Indian bazaars shudder, `Made in China,' has started making a mark in the field of education too.

With more than 5,000 Indian students and of them nearly 2,000 just from Andhra Pradesh, the medical degree from China is in great demand.

While management seats in India cost no less than Rs. 40 lakhs in some colleges, a Chinese package of less than Rs. 10 lakhs, inclusive of entire course tuition fee, hostel fee and living expenses squeezed in, surely is music to the ears.

World class

"The quality of medical education in China is world class and students need not have any apprehensions," says S. Jaipaul Reddy, Managing Director, St. Joseph's Consultants Pvt. Ltd. that admits students to 12 Chinese medical universities. Last year, he sent nearly 300 students to China while this year the number has crossed 750.

A prime reason for the growing craze is the introduction of English as a medium of instruction in the last couple of years. Mr. Jaipaul Reddy says the Chinese Government has allocated two billion dollars to 50 selected Government medical universities as part of its package to make them the best in the world by 2011.

"Each university has nearly US $ 200 crores and they are spending it to get the best of faculty from across the world and add more facilities to colleges and hospitals. They are already better equipped then most Indian medical colleges," says Mr. Reddy.

Admission procedure

Agrees V. Rajaram of Medico Abroad that sends aspiring medicos to Jinzhou Medical University and Dalian Medical University. "The attraction is not just lower fees but the hassle free admission procedures, followed by guidance of students," he says. To ensure that students don't feel home sick the consultants have set up kitchens with Indian cooks. Parents are constantly informed about their wards' academic records and the life there. "We not only guide them in admissions but keep a track of their life there," informs Mr. Reddy.

The simple admission procedure is a major factor. The Government of China has opened its medical education to the world recently so visas are quite easy to come by. The Ministry of Internal Affairs gives a JW-20 (similar to I-20 of American Universities) after receiving the admission letter. When student approaches the embassy an `X' visa is issued that is valid for 30 days. A student has to join within 30 days to get the visa extended.

Students with not less than 70 per cent marks in Intermediate are being admitted in Chinese universities. So there is no compromise on quality of students who come from more than 50 countries to study medicine.

Interestingly, Indians in Gulf too are impressed with Chinese medical education and preferring it to Indian colleges.

"It has come as a big boon for middle class families," says Mr. Srinivasa Rao, a taxi driver in the Gulf. His daughter is admitted in the Zinjhou Medical University.

Classes in Chinese medical universities start in September. So for students with passports there is still time to get admission this academic year.

Those who don't have passports can still think of the option by claiming the passport under Tatkal scheme.

MCI check

It is not that a medical degree from a foreign country is devoid of problems back home.

Those coming back have to appear for a screening test by the Medical Council of India if they have to be registered as doctors here.

Despite the rosy picture, universities and colleges without recognition might exist in these countries as well.

A thorough background investigation through friends or through those who have gone there and on the Internet is a must for students and parents.

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