Bhubaneswar: The number of international students who have been enrolling in various universities and higher educational institutions across Odisha has been consistently increasing.
As per a NITI Aayog report, Odisha recorded the highest inflow of foreign students for higher studies during the 2021-22 academic year.
Odisha is among the top 10 states in India in terms of attracting international students.
As for states in eastern India, Odisha ranks first. Bhubaneswar’s KIIT occupies fifth place nationally among private universities in attracting foreign students.
Despite the potential of metros like Kolkata and Hyderabad, Odisha has more foreign students pursuing education than West Bengal, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. KIIT has played a role in Odisha’s surge.
The NITI Aayog report points out that of the 2,362 foreign students studying across various educational institutions in eastern India, nearly 2,000 of them are pursuing various courses at KIIT alone.
There are students from more than 70 countries who are studying at KIIT.
Around 5,000 students have passed out from KIIT so far, with 2,000 foreign boys and girls studying currently – up from just 12 in 2012. This, despite Bhubaneswar being a Tier-2 city which does not yet have extensive international flight connectivity.
KIIT and KISS founder Dr Achyuta Samanta said that the number of foreign students at KIIT will increase in the coming academic year.
The educational infrastructure, learning environment, beautification, greenery, and especially sports infrastructure, among other factors, have become the focal point of attraction for foreign students at KIIT, he added.
