In a major step to safeguard students aspiring to pursue higher education abroad, NORKA-Roots under Kerala Government has decided to launch an advisory portal aimed at preventing them from falling prey to false promises by education consultancies. The decision follows increasing reports of students being misled by false promises regarding admissions, university credentials, and post-study work opportunities.
The proposed portal will serve as a one-stop platform offering verified and essential information for students and their families. It will feature an official list of recognised and genuine universities and colleges in popular education destinations such as the UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, and the US. The portal will also provide detailed guidelines on country-specific legal compliances required for student migration.
According to officials of the NORKA-Roots, they have initiated the procedures to launch the Advisory Portal. “We have approached Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) for selecting a startup for developing the portal which aims to bring transparency and ensure that students make informed decisions when choosing overseas education.
“There have been several distressing cases where students were duped by unverified agencies and ended up in substandard institutions or faced legal hurdles. This portal is designed to empower students with reliable data,” the official said.
In addition to listing genuine institutions, the portal will also clarify whether students are eligible for part-time jobs or work visas after their studies in respective countries. It will offer guidance on visa categories, duration of stay, scholarships, and documentation procedures.
The portal is expected to work in collaboration with Indian embassies, foreign education authorities, and official academic credential evaluation bodies. A helpline and grievance redressal mechanism will also be incorporated for students facing challenges abroad. Experts believe that the portal will act as a filter to weed out dubious consultancies and foster a culture of safe and transparent student migration.
