Afghanistan students surge at MSU

Vadodara: Hope for a better future is enticing students from war-torn Afghanistan to Gujarat.
A record high number of students from Afghanistan, which is currently facing its worst-ever humanitarian crisis, have sought admission at Gujarat’s only English medium university – M S University this year.
The university this year has received 852 applications of foreign students for admission routed through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
Of these, 557 applications have been confirmed for admission for academic year 2021-22.
“Of the total 557 applications, as many as 160 applications are of Afghani students who are scouting for admission in our faculties. Usually, the number of foreign students seeking admission is more from African countries and Bangladesh. This is for the first time that we are witnessing such record number of applications for admission from Afghani students,” said professor Dhanesh Patel, director of Office of International Affairs (OIA).
A number of agencies have sprouted in Afghanistan aiding students who seek admission in Indian universities because of low cost of living, scholarships, familiarity with the country's culture and language, easy-to-obtain visas and use of English in the classroom.
“Over the years, our hostel infrastructure offered to foreign students has also improved. The students who pass out from here act as our ambassadors. We are also helping them with the registration process for the foreign regional registration office as well as finding a family host,” said Patel.
MSU itself is regaining its diversity after several decades.
“We already have 156 foreign students enrolled with us. We have confirmed admission of 125 students whose applications were routed through ICCR and 41 other students who are self-funded. In total, we have 322 foreign students who have been enrolled this academic year which is the highest in recent times,” said Patel.
The university is hoping that this year it might touch a new record of 500 plus foreign students as there are nearly 300 applications which are currently under process, and more are pouring in.
Interestingly, many foreign students are seeking admission in commerce and science streams as well apart from traditionally favourite arts, performing arts and fine arts.
Now, there are students who have enrolled for PhD programmes in engineering, commerce, pharmacy, science and arts streams.