400 more students for scholarship programme: UK Minister

As part of attracting more Indian students to universities in the United Kingdom in the backdrop of falling numbers, the British government would add 400 more students under its scholarship programme, a cabinet Minister said today.
"You know that there are large number of Indian students going to the UK. But numbers have been falling in the last 2-3 years. We think there is perception problem that they are not welcome in the UK. I have been trying to dismiss that. They are very much welcome in the UK," Dr Vince Cable who is on a visit to India, told reporters here.

To change that perception, one of the recent changes that the government made was to increase the number of scholarships awarded to Indian students.
"In order to help change the perceptions, one of the things we have been announcing in India which is a big step forward, is the number of scholarships. In addition to (the existing) scholarship programme there will be 400 more next year and the year after," he said.
Besides attracting Indian students, the UK government also planned to increase the number of British students visiting India to 25,000 over the next five years.
"At the moment, it is Indian students going to Britain. We are now trying to encourage British students to come to India. We are looking to have at least 25,000 (British students visiting) in India in the next five years. Lot of demand for it in the UK and I think it is good to have reciprocal relationships." he said.