OU sees steep drop in foreign students

Officials cite stricter visa rules, stopping of scholarships

The University Foreign Relations Office (UFRO) in Osmania University has received only 700 applications so far this academic year for admission to different courses in OU.

Last year it had received 1,200-1,500 applications.

University officials say there is a steep decrease in enrolment of foreign students in Indian universities because of stricter visa rules, stopping of scholarships by Iran and Iraq, and poor accommodation facilities in Indian universities.

Professor Sriram Venkatesh, director of the University Foreign Relations Office, said that there is a steep decrease in admission of foreign students across the country and due to this OS has also received fewer applications this year.

“There are many reasons why foreign students are not opting for pursuing higher studies in Indian universities. Iran and Iraq have discontinued giving scholarships to students,” he said.

“Another reason could be that we don’t have an embassy in Somalia and Somalian students have to go to Kenya for a visa whereas Kenya government is rejecting the application of the Somalian visas due to which students are not able to visit Indian universities for studies.”

He says there are some 900 students from Somalia in the university and 3,630 foreign students in our University presently

Referring to hostel facilities, Mr Venkatesh said, “As per Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) we have to provide hostels for international students. There is no separate hostel for international female students but we have constructed a hostel for Research scholars in which we have arranged 50 rooms for female students. For males, 172 places in hostels are available but only 70 are occupied. ICCR is insisting on mandatory hostel accommodation.”