Indians are among the biggest spenders on education for their children, according to a survey conducted in the US.

This reality was highlighted during a seminar on engineering prospects in India and abroad, which was recently held in Alkhobar by the Hyderabad Association.

Around $13 billion is spent every year by about 450,000 Indian students enrolled in higher education abroad, said one report.

“Over 150,000 students every year go overseas for university education, which costs India a foreign exchange outflow of $10 billion,” said one source. “A survey conducted by UNICEF India shows a more than 88 percent literacy rate among girls in the 15 to 24 age bracket between 2008 and 2012.”

Association President Mirza Zaheer Baig, a scientist at the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), emphasized the importance of education and briefed the audience on intelligence and emotional quotients.

Chief Guest Fazi-ur-Rahman, associate professor at KFUPM, spoke about the importance of education. He recommended that students go for science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) education, which are most in demand. Shuja Mohammed Sheriff, a civil engineer, outlined admission prospects in India and abroad during his keynote speech. He also highlighted eligibility requirements, courses offered, fee structure and hostel facilities.

Shuja stressed that children should be given opportunity suited to their intellectual capabilities and interest rather than enforcing upon them subjects that are more highly regarded in society.

He also discussed admissions at centrally-funded universities, highlighting basic information on the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), an Indian entrance exam.

“Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in Hyderabad conducts engineering, agriculture and the Engineering, Agricultural and Medical Common Entrance Test (EAMCET) for seeking admission in engineering colleges in Andhra Pradesh,” he said.

“Kerala Engineering, Agriculture, Medicine (KEAM) is an entrance exam for the state of Kerala that is governed by the Commissioner of Entrance Exams (CEE),” he said.

Sheriff said education is a powerful tool in today’s world. “The first and most crucial thing is to acquire education,” he said. “The purpose of knowledge is not only material gain, but also becoming a global citizen.”