Number of overseas students at DU declining

Khairul Islam The number of overseas students in Dhaka University (DU) is gradually declining due to complexities in admission process and fall in the standard of quality education imparted in the country's highest public university, enrolled foreign students said. The students said the university authorities should introduce English as medium of class lecture, and take effective measures to ease visa processing which can help attract foreign students in good number at the educational institution. "The education system at DU should be made in line with the international standard which will ensure competitiveness of both local and overseas students," Ashok, a Nepalese student of MSc in Pharmacy at the DU said. He said they cannot understand the class lectures as those are mostly delivered in Bangla. "Even the official website of the university has not much admission-related information for the foreign students. It is not acceptable in an era of digitised world." According to the DU, some 24 students took admission in 2000-2001 academic session followed by 22 students in 2001-2002, 12 students in 2002-2003. Only 9 students in 2003-2004, five in 2004-2005, four in 2005-2006, eight in 2006-2007, three in 2007-2008, six in 2008-2009 and only 2 students were admitted in 2009-2010 academic sessions. "And the number has come down to zero in the last academic year (2010-2011). It was unexpected," said Hasan, an officer at Sir PJ Hartog International Hall of the university. He said that the foreign students are mostly from neighbouring country Nepal; however, there are some students from Pakistan, India, Malaysia, United Kingdom and United States of America. The student said many intending students could not come to the country for study due to visa-related complications. "It should be education-friendly," another overseas student said. Currently, the foreign students need approval from three ministries --- Ministry of Foreign affairs, Home and Education. DU former vice chancellor Prof M Moniruzzaman Miah said quality of education of the university is yet to be established due to growing political unrests on the campus and recruitment of incompetent teachers, whose merit was judged politically. "Strong education background should be followed in the recruitment process for ensuring quality education," Mr Miah said. Delivering class lectures only in Bangla language and having no place in the rankings of global universities are the two key reasons for the failure to attract foreign students, he said. Eminent academician and DU former Pro-vice chancellor Prof AFM Yusuf Haider said the authorities should take the issue seriously to regain the past glory of the university which was once known as the Oxford of the East. DU vice chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique said, "We would like foreign students to take admission at the university but they need to be qualified according to our requirements," he added. He, however, said that a good number of students have been studying at DU affiliated institutions like medical colleges.