Bhubaneswar: Utkal University in the city has witnessed a surge in applications from international students to study various undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD courses in the past couple of years. The overseas students are mainly applying for Asian studies, anthropology, sociology, art and culture, yoga as well as management and public administration, official sources said. “The internationalisation of higher education in Utkal University began in 2018 before the National Education Policy 2020 was conceptualised.
We had received many visiting professors and scholars from different countries earlier. But post-Covid, applications by international students has increased substantially,” said Sanjay Sarangi, international students’ coordinator of the university. “A+ accreditation from NAAC, 93rd position in NIRF, scholarship from Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), peaceful and green campus are some of the reasons for a greater number of international students applying for admission,” he added.
As per UGC guidelines, universities can admit 25% foreign students out of the total student strength. Eight international students are presently pursuing degrees in different disciplines in Utkal. The university has taken several initiatives to accommodate the international students, including a separate hostel.
“From a dedicated counsellor to cultural exchange programme, we are committed to making their transition as smooth as possible,” Sarangi said. In addition t.