It's cheaper to do MBA in Japan

PUNE: Japan, the second-largest economy in the world, could be a cheaper destination to do your MBA than Pune. Mombusho Scholars Association of India (MOSAI) vice-president Umesh Joshi narrated this story to demolish myths about Japan being an expensive destination for higher studies. Under a student exchange programme between Japan and China, for the same cost while Japan could send one student to China, the latter sent three students.

“On an average, with a partial scholarship, it should cost between Rs 3-4 lakh annually for an Indian student to study in Japan. This is at a par with the cost of higher education in the UK, for instance,” he said. This year, two students from Pune have received full scholarship for tuition and living expenses. In an attempt to tap into the rapidly growing base of students aspiring for international degrees, the Japan Student Services Organisation (JSSO), a facilitation organisation for overseas students, is making its maiden two-city India visit.

After its first halt in Pune, it is headed for Delhi. Incidentally, Mombusho refers to a prestigious scholarship given to international students by the Japanese government and the association, MOSAI, comprises those Indians who have received that scholarship.

“India sends between 300-500 students annually to Japan, of the 1.20 lakh overseas students who go there. Most of the Indian students go for language studies, which is a pity since the country has more to offer in high tech areas, than just language studies,” Mr Joshi stated. He added that MOSAI will offer round-the-year counselling and information to students wanting to explore Japan as an educational destination.

There is a practical, long-term reason for Indian students to study in Japan, Mr Joshi remarked, given the level of investment being made by that country in core projects in India. Japanese companies, which will invest in India under those programmes, will naturally prefer Indians who have studied there, understand their culture and are familiar with the language.

A course of study in Japan more or less guarantees a job with a Japanese company in India and for the Indian, it is a benefit since s/he learns tremendous self discipline.

“This is an introduction to Japan and educational opportunities available there, from the humanities to engineering, medicine, MBA, chemistry, life sciences... We have 18 Japanese universities that participated in this fair, of which five offer post-graduate courses only in English,” Mr Joshi said.

MOSAI had expected up to 500 student visitors at its day-long exhibition, but by lunch time, the number had crossed 1,000 students enthusiastically looking for options to the “traditional” overseas education destinations of the US, UK, Australia, Germany, France and Russia.

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