Date:09/03/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/09/stories/2007030917400300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Foreign students take orientation at Osmania University

Staff Reporter

Varsity emerges as new destination for Third World students

HYDERABAD: Foreign students enrolled in various courses of Osmania University got a first-hand information on the facilities extended to them, different systems of university administration and also a bit of Indian history at the orientation programme organised for international students by the University Foreign Relations Office (UFRO). Hossein Ravesh, Consul-General of Islamic Republic of Iran in Hyderabad, who was the chief guest, said that OU was emerging as the new destination for international students, especially from Third World countries for quality education. He impressed upon the need for discipline and determination on the part of the students to excel in their academic pursuits and get the best of out the scholarly abode of OU.

He said periodic meetings with international students at college level were a must to infuse confidence levels among them and expose them to the functioning of the university.

Such meetings also help solve problems faced by international students.

He suggested to students to celebrate each country s' day to promote amity and understanding.

Lectures

Senior professors of the University gave lectures on various aspects concerning academics and administration. Later, there were lectures on communication skills and personality development, personal effectiveness, historical and cultural glimpses of Hyderabad and OU, examination system at OU and cross-cultural communication insights by senior professors of the University including P.L.Visweshwar Rao, Principal, University College of Arts; K. Ravichandra, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences; M. Radhakrishna Sarma, Emeritus Professor, Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology; M. Nagabhushanam, Controller of Examinations, and G.S.Rao, Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management. Students also raised some issues like guidance on immediate arrival and a separate hostel for international students. Nearly 1,000 students from about 50 countries are pursuing various courses at the graduate level in the colleges.

UFRO is the single window agency for the admission of international students. P.Marutimohan, Director, UFRO welcomed the gathering.