OU IT courses draw foreign students

HYDERABAD: Computer engineering and information technology courses may have lost their appeal to the students of the Osmania University, but they are beginning to attract foreign students by the dozen.
Since the beginning of this year’s admissions on June 23, the University Foreign Relations Office (UFRO) has been experiencing an unprecedented interest from foreign students.
Besides a good number from Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti, Kenya and Uganda, there were four applicants from the US too. They have opted for either BE computer science, electronics or BCA courses.
“By August 31 (the last day for admissions), we are expecting over 200 students from about 50 countries to join these courses,’’ said UFRO director Prof Veera Reddy Kadaru.
What seems to be attracting the foreigners to the OU are the easy admission procedures and the reasonable fee. For instance, foreign students are not required to take the Eamcet entrance test provided they have a minimum of 60 per cent marks or an equivalent grade point average. For other graduate programme,s the eligibility is a minimum pass percentage in Intermediate.
The fee for a foreign engineering student is about $5,000 per year, which is less than the fee for an NRI seat, which is $6,000.
“The fee structure and admission procedures have been chalked out to provide an opportunity for foreign students, particularly from poor African countries, to pursue good courses,’’ Prof Reddy said.
Many colleges have dropped the BCA course as its popularity was waning, but it continues to do well at the Nizam College because of the interest being shown by foreign applicants, he added.
Another factor which can boost foreign admissions is hostel facilities. “If accommodation too is provided by the university, we are sure there will be more coming from our countries,’’ some students said.