IT raids dampen students' dreams to study abroad

It has been tense moments for Vaidehi Panchal who is aspiring to pursue a masters degree in Mass Communications from an American University.

As she awaited her Visa interview call from the US embassy, the news that the educational consultant Planet Education has been raided by IT officials has dampened her spirits.

Two leading educational consultants including Take Off Education from the city were raided on Friday by IT officials for not disclosing the commission they were receiving from overseas universities.

"I am worried because once the image of my consultant is marred, the consulate may create a problem in my visa interview. Besides I can't do anything about it as I have already filed for my VISA application," she said.

Another student Manisha Patel said, "Definitely, I am a worried. I think they should not have done it."

Manisha had filed her Visa applications for Australia from the educational consultant that was raided today.

However Hardhik Vagh who is applying for a Master in Research in Electronics and Communications from RMIT in Melbourne differs by saying, "I don't think these developments will affect my Visa chances. Students from Planet have had a good Visa success rate."

Another student Vikram Singh who has got his visa for Australia also holds similar views.

Vikram said, "Educational consultants are just a mediator. The university has approved these consultants and it is their look out as it is a business. As long as students visa chances are not affected, we can't blame them."

Some of the students were caught unawares when they learnt that the consultants pocketed commission from these universities.

"When there are so many universities coming for spot admission, the consultants must be getting some benefits. But I never knew that they were getting commission," Vaidehi adds.

(Some names have been changed to protect students' identity)