VADODARA, OCT 10: The M S University (MSU) here seems to be losing its `international character' gradually. The flow of students from abroad, particularly African and Gulf countries, has come down drastically during the last 10 years.In 1999-2000, the university had only 66 foreign students on its rolls against 350 in 1991-92. The consistent decline, academicians say, is due to several reasons, including the development of education in third world countries and the failure of MSU to keep up with international trends in education.Figures indicate that, barring a couple of years, the number has been reducing consistently over the last decade. Foreign students are mostly from countries like Jordan, Palestine, Kenya, Uganda, Mauritius, Fiji, Tibet, Yemen, Nepal and Bangladesh. A few students from western countries are also there in the Faculty of Performing Arts and Faculty of Fine Arts.According to top university officials, the standard of education at the graduate level in pure sciences has improved in African countries over the years. ``Bachelor degree courses are now available there. Hence they need not migrate to other places. Besides, they are not eligible for admissions in technical courses here,'' said M S University Vice-Chancellor Anil Kane.Senior teachers and academicians point out that for many students, lack of fluency in English also proves to be a major barrier. Those students who are unable to cope with the pressure find it difficult and drop out. ``We have suggested crash courses in English for many students. Those who did this have been successful and have stayed back for PhD ,'' said Head of the Department of Political Science and former Dean of Faculty of Arts D H Mohite.Mohite also blamed the administrative staff for the situation. ``They summon the students repeatedly even for small formalities. The staff does not seem to bother about the impression these students will carry about the university to their countries,'' Mohite added.Interestingly, Kane says, ``We would definitely like to have more students from other countries, but are not encouraging them presently due to certain complications.'' While MSU is responsible for some of the problems, others are beyond its control.``Several Indians have migrated to western countries for teaching Indian performing arts and other related subjects. Today, they need not come to India for learning Kathak or astrology. Our own people are teaching these disciplines abroad,'' said MSU Pro-Vice-Chancellor V D Pathak.
