Thiruvananthapuram: Even before the controversies over the foreign trip of ministers have subsided, the government gave an opportunity for the student leaders to go on foreign trip. The government and aided college union office-bearers are given a chance to take part in the one-week long leadership training programme at Cardiff University in London. A 70-member team will be sent for the training session.

The RUSA (Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan) fund of the central government is used for the trip. Using the fund allotted for academic purposes has led to severe criticism. It is also noteworthy that most of the college unions in the state are led by Students' Federation of India (SFI).

The intention behind sending the college union members abroad without considering top institutions like IIM for training at a time when the state is going through a financial crisis has been questioned. Earlier, the high court had criticised the foreign trip of ministers.

Selected students will be given the chance for training. In order to apply for it, the students are directed to submit details including passport to the FLAIR (Fostering Linkages in Academic Innovation and Research) coordinator in the higher education department.