'26% jump in foreign students in state since Sept 2015'

The number of foreign students in the state has increased by 26% in the last eight months, according to a survey conducted by the Overseas Centre for Foreign Students (OCFS). The survey was conducted between September 2015 and May 2016.

The data collated by OCFS shows that Karnataka with 50 universities ranks fourth among all the states and union territories in the country. 

It ranks second with regard to number of state public universities with 25 and third with regard to deemed universities (11). Karnataka has 6.9% of the total universities in the country. The state also has the highest number of medical universities and ranks fifth in number of general universities, the survey report states. 

Data discussed
It is estimated that there are around around 13,900 foreign students studying in the state at present. The data was discussed at a recent meeting N Ramesh Kumar, advisor, OCFS had with the office of foreigners’ regional registration office (FRRO), Bengaluru, various consul generals and officials of the Ministry of Human Resources Development.

Kumar told Deccan Herald that most students come to Bengaluru for their bachelors degree in subjects such as usiness administration, engineering and medicine. “Over 5,000 students come for short-term courses and study in various private institutes. 

They chose to learn English, computers, Java, Microsoft certification, communication skills and foreign languages,” he added. 

Several African students the officials who spoke during the survey said that they were also interested to learn Kannada. “They choose Karnataka as they feel it is safe and, this land is full of cultural diversities.”