World Bank to attract more foreign students to universities in Kerala
The WB offer comes at a time when, according to official figures, there is a sudden upswing in foreign interest in universities in Kerala.
The WB offer comes at a time when, according to official figures, there is a sudden upswing in foreign interest in universities in Kerala.
The WB offer comes at a time when, according to official figures, there is a sudden upswing in foreign interest in universities in Kerala.
World Bank officials on Monday expressed interest in collaborating with the Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) to attract more foreign students to Kerala. It was during their meeting with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday that the senior WB officials put forward their proposals.
The WB team was led by Nina Arnhold, who is leading the higher education operations and analytical work in South Asia with a focus on India. Arnhold was accompanied by Denis Nikolaev, project head, and Ambareesh, senior consultant. Besides the CM, the team held discussions with KSHEC chairman Rajan Gurukkal.
The WB offer comes at a time when, according to official figures, there is a sudden upswing in foreign interest in universities in Kerala. Kerala University, for instance, received 2,600 applications from 64 countries this academic year, a 63% growth compared to last year. And in keeping with global education standards, Kerala has begun four-year degree courses in all its universities.
There has been a steady growth in foreign interest over the last four years. Last year, the university received 1,600 applications from 60 countries. In 2022-23, it was 1400. In 2021-22, it was 1100. The majority of applications this year are for commerce and management programmes.
Interest is also seen in Economics, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, English literature, as well as various scientific disciplines including Computer Science, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics.
To date, official figures say, Kerala University hosts 150 foreign students from 43 countries, including recipients of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarship from nations such as the United States, Colombia, and South Africa.
The university conducts comprehensive orientation programmes for new international students alongside cultural events and an annual Graduation Ceremony dedicated to its international student community.
Applications this academic year have come from 64 countries, most of them from 39 African countries. Applications have also been received from Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Peru, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.