With the announcements of a new academic calendar in most of the Higher Education institutions (HEIs) abroad, a section of parents and students are seen managing both the vaccine doses before their scheduled departure for respective countries to be part of the admission processes.
Even though the vaccination is picking up fast in the Sultanate, some people want to finish it off as soon as possible so that there is no hindrance in travel even if ‘vaccination complete’ becomes a mandatory code for any kind of international travel.
In a recent interview with the Observer, Renu Bitling, Team Lead of the Oman chapter of IDP Education, admitted that there is widespread demand for admissions in HEIs abroad.
“This year, there has been an increasing interest for Canada. Though we are still receiving enquiries for Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland and the United States’’, she said.
All these candidates have to travel as per schedules announced by the institutions. They want to clear the vaccine doses and want to be in a readiness to travel.
“Since European countries, particularly the UK, are likely to open soon. We want to be ready with both the doses to ensure hassle-free travel and last-minute rush for the vaccine’’, said Amit, who has decided to pursue medicine course in UK.
There are chances of less number of admission travellers this session due to instructions made by some European universities “to come alone for admission and have requested the parents not to join their wards to avoid crowding on the campuses’’, said Daniel. His son has to travel to Canada for some IT course.
“Still both of us, wife and I, and my son George have taken the vaccines’’, said Daniel.
Similarly, Pradeep Kumar Dash, whose son has to take admission in medicine after completing Secondary schooling in Oman, has to travel to India in mid-August to meet the September deadline for National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).
“I took the first dose of the vaccine on Tuesday. By August 2, I will be able to finish both doses. My son has already got the shot in his school, so it will be easy and safe for both of us to travel and engage in admission process soon after reaching India’’, he said.
Such parents and students are also hoping to have some relaxation in ‘travel quarantine time’ after reaching their destination. That is also appealing to them to go for the vaccine and save time.
“All in all, the vaccination has evoked good response from the most quarters of the society in Oman. Therefore, vaccination along with a certain degree of good pandemic precautions will lead to stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic’’, said an official of the Ministry of Health.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
