c-Puniti.Pandey @timesgroup.com
T he National Medical Commission (NMC) has recently issued a notice for students who are aspiring to pursue overseas education in China. Alerting the students to exercise due: diligence while opting for a destination for a medical cour- se abroad, the Commission highlighted that China has not relaxed restrictions for In- dian students since Novem- ber 2021. The teaching-lear- ning process is being conduc- ted online since then. "The government of People's Re- public of China has imposed strict travel restrictions in the wake of Covid-19 and suspen- ded all visas since November 2020. A large number of inter- national students including Indian students have not be- en able to return to China to continue their studies due to these restrictions," the notifi cation issued by the NMC re ad. The NMC further empha sised that the Commission does not recognise or approve medical courses done only in online mode.
Speaking on the travel restrictions in China, Almas from Mumbai who is a third year medical student at Suz
Since the students are not allowed to go back to China, most banks have refused to release the loan amount
hou University, China, says, "While most countries are re opening borders for foreign. students, we are stuck here in India for the last two years. The banning of various Chi- nese apps that helped in our online classes has further augmented our worries." ment," says Saumya..
As many as 25,000 stu- dents are stuck in India and continue to pay huge fees for the online classes which do not suffice for the learning in medical courses. "Medical students must go back to the universities and resume their course offline. How can we graduate online?" asks Al- mas. Many students who ha ve taken an education loan from the bank are troubled too. Since the students are not allowed to go back to China, most banks have refused to release the loan amount. "It is a huge nancial
den for students," says Sau mya, a third year medical stu dent enrolled at Southern Medical University, China. "The embassies of both co untries are also not respon ding to our queries. While other countries have opened their borders and are helping the international students, there is no one from our side to speak to the Chinese go vernment. There is a huge bi lateral conversation gap bet ween the Indian government and the Chinese govern
Similar to the medical stu dents, employees and busi ness persons with work per mits in China are also strugg ling due to the travel ban. "While employees from other countries can return to China to join their work and family, Indian employees regardless of having a valid visa and work permit, are not allowed to return. Some of us are se parated from our families and struggling financially to sup port them. If this continues, we will lose our jobs and busi ness etc," says a source wor fi- king in China, who has been stuck in India since 2020, on bur- the condition of anonymity.
Published on :- Time of India
Date :- 14/02/2022
