HYDERABAD: Moving away from traditional choices, foreign students coming to Osmania University are opting for courses like pharmacy and law, which mostly have been the prerogative of local students. However, courses in computer sciences continue to attract the maximum number of foreign students, whose numbers are growing on campus.

"It is an interesting trend. Pharmacy, which was never a choice for even Indian students is getting a lot of enquiries apart from the five-year law course," says the University Foreign Relations Office (UFRO) Director, T.L.N. Swamy. "Perhaps promising careers in pharmacy and legal fields are encouraging students to move away from traditional courses."

Another interesting query from prospective students is about the courses offered through semester system. They are insisting on this aspect because it relates to the worldwide norm and will help them in their higher studies. OU nearly 400 foreign students this year in its undergraduate courses while 600 of them were already on rolls in various colleges. The BCA course is popular among African students. Courses related to computers like B.Com (computers), B.Sc (computers), B.Com (E-commerce) are also in great demand.

Dr. Swamy, who had toured African countries as a part of the UGC's Promotion of Indian Higher Education Abroad (PIHEAD) programme, says African students prefer Hyderabad because of its IT prowess.

Moreover, the university's initiatives to attract foreign students have also paid off. Every foreign student getting admitted in OU is automatically eligible for a health insurance scheme on payment of a nominal fee.

English skills

Another attraction is the bridge course offered to improve their English skills. The Certificate Course in Foreign Studies (CCFS) that equips students with English and communication skills is a big hit with students coming from the Middle East and the Gulf.

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