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Alza Kryeziu
Saudi Arabia has initiated an innovative educational visa program tailored to international students aspiring to pursue their studies in the Middle Eastern country.
The move aims to simplify the admission process for prospective students seeking education opportunities in Saudi Arabia, VisaGuide.World reports.
The announcement was made by the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), which jointly unveiled the “Study in Saudi Arabia” visa initiative.
The innovation mentioned above, tailored explicitly for international students who wish to pursue their academic efforts in Saudi universities, will facilitate the visa process without problems.
New Visa Platform Also Offer Short Courses to Comprehensive Programs for International Students
As local media explain, such a platform not only simplifies the application procedure but also offers a variety of educational opportunities, ranging from short-term courses to extensive academic programs. It serves as a sign of access and inclusion in education.
Additionally, this initiative fosters collaboration in academia and cultural exchange, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s unwavering commitment to advancing its education sector and attracting skilled individuals per the objectives outlined in the Saudi Vision 2030.
Notably, Saudi Arabia aims to become the fifth most sought-after destination for Indian students due to various factors, including attractive scholarships and robust financial aid tailored to international students.
Between 2017 and 2022, over 1.3 million Indian students embarked on journeys abroad for higher education, according to data revealed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). It also revealed that in 2022 alone, 13,24,954 Indian students traveled to different countries to study. Apart from this, among the leading destinations where Indian students pursued their academic aspirations were the following:
- United States (465,791)
- Canada (183,310)
- United Arab Emirates (164,000)
- Australia (100,009)
- United Kingdom (55,465)
Additionally, a notable number of Indian students went to Qatar (46,000), Oman (39,550), the Philippines (15,000), and the Russian Federation (18,039).
India a Major Contribution to Education in Canada, USA, Australia & UK
Another analysis conducted by RedSeer Strategy Consultants in 2021 showed the rapid expansion of Indian education by 2019, culminating in nearly 800,000 students studying abroad. This figure predicted a doubling of students abroad by 2024, reaching up to 1.8 million individuals. At the same time, total spending on overseas education is projected to grow to between US$75-85 billion by the same year.
This expected increase in Indian external education adds to the substantial growth preceding the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. India rapidly emerged as a prominent contributor to major destination countries, such as Canada, the US, Australia, and the UK, strengthening its position as a leading sender of students worldwide.