RU sees more int'l students
Though born and raised in Jordan, Addel Kader Shihadeh always felt a connection to Bangladesh.
“My father was a student at Dhaka Medical College and spoke highly of the country. That's why when I wanted to study abroad, I chose Bangladesh,” said the undergraduate student of electrical and electronic engineering at Rajshahi University (RU).
He said he decided to study at RU because of its serene atmosphere.
Addel is one of the 15 international students admitted under the 2016-17 academic session, which is the highest in a single year in RU's 63 years of history, according to academic sources.
Simple online admission process, quality of education, improved accommodation facilities and friendly atmosphere are the key reasons behind the increasing number of international students, they added.
In the previous session, the number of international students admitted was 5. Including the 15, there are now 20 international students at the university.
“I looked up several universities in Bangladesh, and liked RU because it doesn't have the hustle and bustle of other universities like Dhaka. Also, Rajshahi is a clean city,” said Yousuf Matan Abdi, a Somali student of crop science and technology.
Most of the students also said they chose Bangladesh as an education destination considering the affordability.
The local students were also enthusiastic about their international fellows. “It's always a pleasure to make new friends. And if that person is from a different country, that's an added bonus. We get to learn from each other,” said Nayeem Mollick Joy, a student of applied physics and electronic engineering (APEE).
According to the academic sources, some 37 applicants applied for the admission test under the 2016-17 session. Among them, 22 from Nepal, four from Somalia, one from Jordan and one from India applied for the undergraduate programmes and nine Somali students for postgraduate programmes.
Of them, 25 were selected for admission this session, they added.
There are 35 seats reserved for international students in each session -- 10 each in science and arts faculties, and five each in business and law, and five in Bangladesh studies.
“I've been studying here for two years,” said Jilani Ansari, a second-year student of applied physics and electronic engineering. “I like the campus a lot. The university authorities are helpful and look after us. The students are also cordial.”
“I have also learnt how to speak Bangla,” smiled the Nepalese student.
Contacted, pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Chowdhury Sarwar Jahan, said, “The quality of education at the university has improved a lot. We have also introduced new departments, which are attracting more students. On top of that, political instability and irregularities have declined.”
“Easy online-based admission process and friendly environment are the main reasons behind the increasing number of international students at RU,” said Sub-registrar (academic section) AHM Aslam Hossain.
“We admit the selected applicants temporarily after verifying their academic activities,” he said.
The names are then sent to the education ministry who later forwards the list to the home ministry for final verification. The process takes more than six months. “With the home ministry's approval, students are then admitted permanently,” he added.
RU student adviser Prof Mizanoor Rahman 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.”
He said for ensuring comfortable and secured accommodation for the students, they have also renovated the international dormitory.