Can An Information Technology University Degree Be The Road To Achieving The American Dream?

Dr.Tausif Malik

Last year, I launched RiseBack, an ed-tech platform designed to connect the global student community with Indian universities. The Indian universities on the RiseBack platform offer undergraduate and master’s degrees in Business and IT, including courses in digital marketing, blockchain, artificial intelligence, and more.

We focused on IT education because it offers some of the highest-paying jobs, helping to reduce educational gaps and increase the income of fellow Americans.

According to USNews.com, IT managers made a median salary of $151,150 in 2020, with the top 25% earning $191,470 and the bottom 25% earning $116,990.

IT education can also inspire Americans to create more startups, develop new technologies, and reduce the shortage of professionals, which hampers the growth of companies. By hiring local talent, companies can help boost the economy.

Through RiseBack, American students and professionals can study entire undergraduate and master’s programs from the comfort of their homes for approximately $2,500 or $75 per month—about 15 times cheaper than studying at a domestic university. These degrees are accredited by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India and are globally recognized. Thanks to the global alumni of Indian universities, who are leading major corporations and institutions, Indian education has earned a gold standard for success.

The Backstory Behind RiseBack

For over a century, America has led the world in technology, driven by the American Dream, a cornerstone of America’s emergence as a superpower. However, in recent decades, the cost of education has eroded this dream, trapping many in student debt. The 1980s saw IT become a driving force, starting in Silicon Valley and spreading across America. The Bush-era policies encouraged globalization, leading to outsourcing of manufacturing to Southeast Asia and software development to India.

When I immigrated to America with two master’s degrees, I enrolled in a Doctorate Program without student debt, giving me the freedom to explore my career. I traveled across America and found that many Americans shied away from university enrollment due to high costs and uncertain returns on investment, unless they attended Ivy League schools or top technology programs. Immigrants, by contrast, were often more successful due to little or no student debt.

During my travels, I met many talented Americans who faced barriers due to a lack of university education. My upbringing taught me to help others achieve success, and I prayed for a way to help my fellow Americans achieve their dreams. I had a eureka moment: why not use my connections in the Indian software industry to help train people in technology via Skype? I named the project ‘RiseBack,’ inspired by the Native American saying, “Rise back like a Phoenix.”

However, personal calamities struck. My mother needed major spinal cord surgery, and I lost my father to a heart attack. I decided to move back to India with my mom for her treatment, and during this time, I realized that high education and healthcare costs hold back many Americans.

The COVID-19 pandemic shifted everything online, from meetings and shopping to telemedicine and education. This motivated me to revive the RiseBack project. I approached Indian universities to offer their undergraduate and master’s programs to American students and professionals through RiseBack.org, benefiting both countries.

This initiative helps India become a global education hub while providing Americans with affordable education, boosting the economy, and supplying companies with local talent. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.