Students From 19 Countries Form Association To Promote Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Nearly 150 students from 19 different countries, presently studying in various universities in Odisha, have launched Federation of International Students Association-Odisha (FISAO).

The association was launched at a meeting held at the Institute of Technical Education and Research (ITER), faculty of engineering and technology of Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) in the city. The foreign students pursuing their courses in IIT-Bhubaneswar, International Institute of Information Technology (IITM), CV Raman Global University, Centurion University, KIIT University, Utkal University and SOA attended the programme.

They made presentations on the occasion to promote education facilities in Odisha and its culture. Addressing the students, Meenakshi Mishra, Regional Director of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) welcomed the idea of international students bonding together and urged them to promote the idea of universal brotherhood.

SOA Vice-Chancellor Prof Ashok Kumar Mahapatra said the students should focus on happiness, service to humanity and tolerance for creating a better world. He also urged the students to connect to the spirit of Odisha, the beautiful state, and India.

Prof Jyoti Ranjan Das, SOA’s Dean (Students’ Welfare), presented an overview of the university while Prof Nachieketa K Sharma, Director, International Relations and Outreach Program, said SOA was endeavoring to make the university the most preferred destination for students from across the world.

The officials of SOA and students from abroad coordinated the programme.