Campus Talk: Mumbai University holds Diwali celebration for international students

While last year there were only 90 foreign students, two years before in academic year 2022-23 and 2021-22, Mumbai University saw enrolment of 120 and 113 foreign students, respectively.

This year, a total of 45 admissions have come through fully funded scholarships under Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). Whereas remaining students have taken admissions individually. While many of them are those who are of Indian origin or are Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), a considerable number of them are foreign nationals exploring the higher education opportunities in India.

These include students from countries like Fiji, South Africa, Mauritius, Philippines among all. These students have taken admission to conventional courses such as commerce, economics, psychology and also professional courses such as B.Sc. in Computer Science among all offered by Mumbai University as well as affiliated colleges.

One of them, Andriantsivahiny Antsanahary Yvannah from Madagasca,r who always wanted to pursue higher education abroad, said she chose India because it has good higher education opportunities. Yvannah has taken admission to Masters in Commerce which she believes will open lucrative career options back home.

“The Diwali get-together was a great opportunity to connect with students coming from various countries. I got to know so many new cultures while learning about the importance of the Diwali festival in India,” said Yvannah, who aspires to start an enterprise instead of pursuing a job.

Lavone Sisouvanh from Laos who has taken admission to Masters in International Relations said, “Apart from having long-standing relations, Laos and India have so many cultural ties in terms of religions followed, mythology, languages etc. It would be great to know more about the culture of India by staying here and witnessing it. And participating in local festivals is the best way to witness it.”

Lavone, who completed his schooling from Buddhist schools for monks in his home country, is already an official from the department of foreign affairs at one of the provinces of Laos and hopes for career growth after his course in India.

Stating that the credit of increase in enrolment of foreign students goes to the Transnational Higher Education which can internationalise teaching and learning practices, a senior official from the University said, “Growing number of International Students at University Campus strengthens the Global Citizenship Education (GCE) approach of University of Mumbai as envisaged under National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.”

Adding that Diwali celebration is a good time for the university to provide these students an exposure to Indian culture, the official said that one more formal event is planned for later this week which will include cultural programmes.