Foreign students’ enrollment in RU rises

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RAJSHAHI, Sept 12, 2018 (BSS)-The number of foreign students at Rajshahi
University (RU) has gradually been rising for the last couple of years by
dint of various positive reasons.

RU sources said enrollment of foreign students in both undergraduate and
postgraduate courses has also been increasing in the country’s second-largest
university.

A total of 14 foreign students got admitted in the university last year:
four are from Nepal, some from India, and one from the US.

After long 18 years, an American student got admitted to PhD programme in
the Department of Folklore this year. Demon Joseph Monticule, a teacher at
USA’s University of New Mexico, enrolled in the varsity last June.

Earlier in the academic session 1999-2000, two American students got
admitted to undergraduate course of the department.

RU saw a record number of students from foreign countries in academic
session of 2016-17 in its different academic programmes, including
undergraduate, postgraduate and M.Phil. courses.

A total of 29 international students have been admitted under different
academic sessions. Of them, 11 are from Nepal, three from Somalia, one from
Jordan and nine others from various countries at the graduate level, which is
the highest in a single year in the 63 years of RU’s history.

Earlier, seven foreign students took admission here during the academic
2015-16 session, all Nepalese.

Nepalese Gilani Ansari, a student of the applied physics and electronics
engineering department, mentioned the simple online admission process,
quality of education, improved accommodation facilities and friendly
atmosphere as the key reasons for the increasing number of international
students at the RU.

Another student, Nayeem Mollik of the applied physics and electrical
engineering department, said many foreign students prefer Bangladesh as an
education destination considering its affordability.

“Some departments of RU conform to international standards. More foreign
students and researchers can be attracted if the university authorities
improve their infrastructure development and ensure a congenial atmosphere
here,” he added.

RU Pro-Vice-chancellor Prof Ananda Kumar Saha said, “Previously, the
admission process for the international students was lengthy and complex. But
we’ve made it simpler; that’s why a good number of students are here.”

The RU arranges some seats for foreign students and researchers in
undergraduate, M.Phil and PhD programmes. Of the seats, 10 are under the
Science faculty, five under the Business Studies faculty, five under the Law
faculty, and five seats for researchers under the Institute of Bangladesh
Studies (IBS) as well.

The Shaheed Mir Abdul Kayum International Dormitory has been constructed
for male students and the Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnessa International
Dormitory is for female students. Different kinds of foods are served to the
students as per their interest.

Prof Saha said, “We have taken various steps with regard to their security
concerns as they are our guests. Besides, their ideas about Bangladesh are
changing.”

He said for ensuring comfortable and secured accommodation for the
students, they have also renovated the international dormitory. The number of
students would increase next year, he hoped.