With 65% of India’s working population under the age of 35 and a growing demand for skilled professionals worldwide, the study abroad sector is on the brink of significant expansion. Leading this movement is Amit Singh, the visionary behind UniScholars, a comprehensive platform empowering students on their international academic journeys. In an exclusive conversation with Bizz Buzz, Singh sheds light on the future landscape of the industry, the distinctive features of UniScholars, and the obstacles encountered by aspiring global scholars.
What is your vision for the future of the study abroad sector?
The study abroad domain holds immense promise for growth, particularly given that India boasts a youthful workforce of 65%. This demographic trend is expected to drive a surge in students and professionals opting for overseas educational programs to enhance their competencies and expertise.
India has witnessed a notable increase in students choosing the UK as their study destination, especially with the recent introduction of the UK’s graduate route VISA. UniScholars has observed a significant uptick in students aspiring to study in the UK. This trend indicates that the UK is likely to remain a preferred choice for students. Additionally, with Australia and the USA easing entry restrictions, students now have a wider array of options to explore. Overall, the industry is poised for substantial expansion in the forthcoming years, and being a structured solution in an otherwise unorganized sector positions us optimistically for the future.
Could you provide insights into your business growth metrics?
Despite the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, our study abroad ecosystem has been profitable since its inception. Commencing with operations in the UK, we swiftly expanded to seven additional regions, experiencing a fourfold growth. Amidst a challenging business environment, we successfully launched three fully operational business units, facilitating study abroad loans through UniCreds and offering secure and premium housing via UniAcco. These initiatives ensured that students felt secure and comfortable throughout their academic journey, even amidst global uncertainties. Our business has grown 25 times since its inception, and we now boast a team of over 500 employees across our offices in Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bangalore.
Could you elaborate on your entrepreneurial journey?
My entrepreneurial voyage has been a blend of challenges and valuable experiences that have imparted crucial life lessons. These encounters have equipped me with the wisdom necessary to lead a team of skilled individuals. Throughout this expedition, I have had the privilege of collaborating with like-minded peers who have significantly enriched my professional and personal growth. In essence, this journey has been, and will continue to be, transformative for me.
What inspired the establishment of your company?
Embarking on a study abroad venture can be daunting for students, given the myriad challenges they encounter. Recognizing the scattered nature of information pertaining to universities, application procedures, and other aspects of studying abroad, we identified the need for an integrated solution that caters to every aspect of a student’s overseas academic journey. With students’ anxieties and uncertainties in mind, UniScholars was launched to complement our ecosystem, alongside our financial arm – UniCreds, and accommodation service – UniAcco. UniScholars embodies our belief in providing Indian students with opportunities for global exposure.
What are the primary services or products offered by your company?
UniScholars serves as a comprehensive solution for students aspiring to pursue education abroad. Our tailored services include test preparation, personalized counseling, visa application support, financial assistance options, accommodation guidance, and post-arrival Value-Added Services (VAS).
What challenges do you currently face?
The current market is saturated with disorganized platforms offering fragmented information and services to students seeking to study abroad. When students seek guidance from our counselors, they often lack clarity on the best course of action. It is a daily challenge to alleviate their fears of not realizing their academic aspirations. Additionally, the ongoing student housing crisis and the depreciation of the Indian currency have compounded the stress and confusion faced by students.
How do you differentiate your brand from competitors?
With a student-centric approach, we have streamlined the entire study abroad journey through a unified platform. UniScholars, in conjunction with UniCreds and UniAcco, provides an end-to-end solution. From test preparation and AI-driven university selection to visa support and post-arrival VAS, we accompany our students every step of the way. This holistic support sets us apart from competitors, ensuring that students experience a seamless journey with UniScholars.
Could you outline your strategy for leveraging recent expansions to drive brand growth?
The southern region holds strategic importance for us, and we aim to bolster our presence in this area. Over time, Telangana has witnessed a rise in the number of students opting for international education. Hyderabad, in particular, has seen a 135% increase in students aspiring to pursue higher education abroad. As this trend is expected to escalate in the future, we are prepared to facilitate a comprehensive study abroad experience for students from this region and intend to enhance our footprint in other major southern cities.
The establishment of a new office marks a significant milestone in our expansion strategy. This office will serve as a hub for enhancing student outcomes through technology-driven personalized study abroad solutions, leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as AI-based shortlisting. UniScholars will support students from Hyderabad and neighboring areas in their pursuit of overseas education, offering test preparation, counseling, visa assistance, education loans through UniCreds, and student accommodation via UniAcco, thereby providing a one-stop solution for study abroad requirements._