Editorial

Of late, many students who could not get admission in the medical courses in India were making a bee-line for foreign universities. Among them, Central Asian republics and China were the main countries. The fact that education in socialist countries is not costly was also one of the reasons. Recently, China has limited the admission of Indian students to thirty. The reason given was that the foreign students dilute the standard. Even if other countries advertise that a pre-knowledge of their language - French, German or Chinese is not compulsory, it should be impressed upon the students that unless one knows the language of the country, they cannot make full use of their visit. The result is bound to be bad because it will not be very wise to expect teachers and professors in other countries to know English, Hindi or Tamil and be able to teach in these languages. But we must remember that our program is to learn and not make others wiser. This is the first fault.

In socialist countries, any professor can tap any laboratory to get the facilities for the students because the universities come directly under the ministries. In any socialist country including ours, or any capitalist country, the delegations invited by the local Embassies do not have locus standi; particularly so, if it is a fact finding mission. If the invitation is from their universities or friendly mutual visits are arranged by the governments that is another matter. Students are not the correct source of information unless they are brilliant, know the local languages and have done well in the universities. We know cases where scientists sent to other countries could not understand the language and came back within a year with complaints about the foreign university standards.  We also know students for whom every thing foreign alone is good. This view is shared by many, including scientists, even now. Before any hasty decision is made by our authorities, one should know at first hand the quality of students by giving them the same tests that is given to Indian doctors. There is one more problem which has to be tackled, right here, in India. The University Grants Commission and the Medical Council should spell out what are the criteria for granting recognition - area, library facilities, laboratory facilities, the qualification for teachers, any tie up with other agencies and laboratories suggested to improve practical training etc.

Greater accent has to be given for the study of foreign languages, right at the school level. Learning a foreign language does not mean knowing how to say good morning and good evening only but knowing the technical words for the subject and the usage of the language, culture and scientific thoughts and how to express oneself to make others understand, particularly the subject. The gap between expectations and performance should be reduced - we mean we must have high expectations and high performances.