Popularity of Mumbai, Pune universities among foreign students on the decline

The intake, however, marginally increased to 192 for the year 2015-16.

At the Pune university, only 1,898 students were admitted across all courses in 2014 compared to the 2,201 students in 2013-14.

[related-post]

Watch Video: What’s making news

Earlier, the universities had been favoured by international students, particularly by those African and middle-eastern nations.

“Since the curriculum offered at the colleges here is good and the fee is not as high as that of in the Western countries, many preferred to study here,” said Manali Londhe, Director, Students’ Welfare and Foreign Students Advisor. However, the number is now dwindling for various reasons.

Students from African nations, which had earlier sent the most number of students, are finding courses in India increasingly expensive.

“Naira to dollar value has dropped drastically and as a result, international tuition fee has become expensive,” said Sanni Olakunle Ahmed from Nigeria, who is doing a BMM course from MU.

When he had joined MU in 2012, 1USD was equivalent to 160 Naira. Now, 1USD is equivalent to almost 280 Naira, said Ahmed.

Other students from African countries said rising incidents of racism in India has also discouraged many from studying here.

“Most students are scared of falling victim to discrimination or ill treatment. Everyone wants a good memory of their college days,” said Lucy Adaobi from Nigeria, who recently completed her BSc in Computer Science from MU.

Mrudul Nile, Londhe’s predecessor, agreed that incidents of discrimination could have deterred students from applying in India.

Vijay Khare, Director, International Centre of Pune University, said the decline in the number of students from middle-east could be attributed to the crisis in the region.

Mumbai, however, received less number of applications than Pune as the cost of living in Mumbai is higher.

“The cost of living, too, is high in cities like Mumbai and Pune. The students find it difficult to afford the accommodations without scholarships,” said Londhe.

“Most foreign students come here after getting scholarships,” said Nile. While the Indian Council for Cultural Relations offers a host of scholarships for foreign students, in case of Mumbai, it only provides scholarships to students applying to colleges with hostel facilities.

The MU does not have a hostel for women foreign students.

There is only one hostel at Churchgate that can accommodate only 124 male students.

Moreover, unlike Pune, the MU doesn’t have a dedicated centre for international students either.