Move to attract more foreign students as numbers dwindle

Mysuru: University of Mysore, which topped the list of preferred Universities for foreign students at one time, today is sadly showing a decline in admissions. The reason for this is attributed to not only demonetisation but also a steep hike in fee for foreign students.

Realising that this downward trend is not a good sign, the University now has decided to attract more foreign students by offering 50 per cent cut in fees.

It was not too far ago that University of Mysore, one of the premier State Universities in the country, was most sought after by the foreign students. Even a few years ago there were nearly 2,000 foreign students studying in various colleges including Manasagangothri. But due to demonetisation and sudden hike in fees, the number came down.  Hence, this year the Academic Council decided to halve the admission fees by 50 per cent to entice a lot more foreign students.

There are 65 Post Graduate  Departments in University of Mysore, offering 78 courses and 18 under graduate courses. However, in private Universities there are just about four to five PG Departments. As University of Mysore has 65 departments and also attractive courses on offer with beautiful ambience, the University is the most favoured destination for foreign students.

But in the last two years the number of foreign students have stood at just 750 and hence there is a shortfall of about 1000 to 1500. In the light of this decline it is decided to reduce the fees to attract more foreign students.

In the last three years the fees for the foreign students was more than Rs.60,000 and it was fixed on par with a few private Universities. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) which allots students to Universities was allotting less number of students to University of Mysore.  This deterred the University from increasing its revenue.

In the last Academic Council meeting held, it was decided to reduce the fees by 50 per cent. . This move has also been brought to the notice of ICCR and hence more students are expected from this academic year itself. The fee for the foreign students from this year is just Rs.30,000 per year.

Registrar reacts

“It is common to see foreign students flocking to University of Mysore every year. However, citing that they have to pay the same fees as that of private Universities and due to the effect of demonetisation, the strength of foreign students had come down in the last three years.

“Seeing this trend VC Prof. G. Hemantha Kumar proposed a reduction in fees. There were 2,000 students at one time and now it has come down to 750. Even the ICCR had complained that the fee was excessive,” said Prof. Lingaraja Gandhi, Registrar, University of Mysore.