Today, it encompasses a wide range of players including preparatory classes, agents, independent counsellors, university representatives, marketing agencies, and other ancillary services such as accommodation providers, loan lenders, payment gateways, and employability support services.
Despite this growth, the industry operates without any formal consortium to bind these entities together, which presents several challenges.
Unlike many other industries in India, the international education sector lacks a centralised consortium, leaving it fragmented. Efforts to establish an industry body have been made, but they have not yielded the desired results. The absence of a representative body is particularly concerning now, as the industry faces complex challenges that require a unified response.
One of the primary functions of an industry consortium is to protect its members’ interests by working with regulatory bodies and other stakeholders, influencing policies that affect the industry.
India, being one of the largest sources of international students for universities worldwide, astonishingly lacks a unified voice to address policy changes by foreign governments that can significantly impact the investments and careers of millions of Indian students abroad. The need for a collective “vox populi” has never been greater.
Regulation and standardisation are crucial reasons for establishing an industry consortium. As of 2024, over 1.3 million Indian students are studying abroad, according to the Indian government’s Ministry of External Affairs. It is essential to create a regulatory framework that standardises advisory practices and support services provided by the vast number of education agents in the market.
With competition intensifying, a standardised code of practice is urgently needed. For instance, the UK higher education industry has been advocating for an Agent Quality Framework to address concerns regarding the role of education agents in recruiting international students, by promoting best practices.
Another issue plaguing the industry is the unethical practice of student poaching, which has become more prevalent as the industry has evolved from small, family-run agencies to large, investor-driven ed-tech companies. The increasing commercialisation of the industry, driven by external investors, has shifted the focus from career-building to a numbers-driven approach, leading to unethical practices. The lack of a unified industry body has left these concerns unaddressed, causing unrest within the sector.
Beyond regulation, industry bodies offer significant benefits through collaborative working and knowledge sharing. An association of international education service providers could help stakeholders address common issues that affect the industry’s objectives and reputation. Problems such as unethical marketing campaigns, the need for accountability in recruitment fairs, and the prioritisation of selling over counselling have persisted for years, if not decades.
Unlike many professions that require specific qualifications and licenses, student counselling – a critical service –has no such prerequisites. This lack of entry criteria has led to poor-quality advice and services, resulting in misguided investments and unfavourable career choices for students.
An industry consortium can offer arbitration, enhance social responsibility, improve cost efficiency, and build a stronger reputation for its members
Although industry certifications exist, they are optional and not widely adopted. Implementing a common entrance criterion for student counsellors could improve service quality and make the profession more aspirational and rewarding.
Networking and collective influence are often overlooked benefits of industry bodies. Networking allows industry professionals to gauge market trends and exchange ideas. While many key industry players participate in networking events, these are often held outside India, raising the question of why similar events are not organised domestically. Events like The PIE in Mumbai demonstrate the value of in-country networking, which is both cost-effective and convenient.
In addition to these benefits, an industry consortium can offer arbitration, enhance social responsibility, improve cost efficiency, and build a stronger reputation for its members. By pooling resources, technologies, and knowledge, a much-needed association would provide global universities and students – the industry’s two most significant stakeholders – with the trust and confidence to work with Indian foreign education service providers.
There has never been a more opportune time to transform the industry into a unified community – a community of career shapers and collaborative thinkers. It’s time for the industry to come together and achieve collective success.