Mysuru: Even though Bengaluru as a city is home to the highest number of foreign students in Karnataka, University of Mysore UoM ) tops the list of preferred varsities/ institutions.GR Janardhana, professor and director, International Centre, UoM, said in this academic year, over 800 students are enrolled for various courses in the varsity, constituent and affiliated colleges. "In the next four-five days, we’ll get the exact number of foreign students. In 2016-17, there was a slight decrease in enrollment of foreign students — it was around 662. But in 2017-18, it increased to 745,” he added."Karnataka is the most preferred state for foreign students. In Karnataka, Mysuru and Bengaluru are preferred for reasons like quality education, affordability, student-friendly initiatives, good treatment and accommodative locals, etc," he said.According to sources, the highest numbers of foreign students are from countries like Afghanistan, Yemen, Iraq and Somalia. “Indian colleges offer quality education at affordable fees. The boarding expenses are also low," said an officer.Some African students said, "Most of us are first-generation Master’s students. Due to various reasons, higher education is not so good back home and that’s why we come here."Hazratkhan Hoshmand, an Afghan student, said: "When I decided to study abroad, I started to think about India and contacted my friends studying in different cities. Most recommended University of Mysuru. I looked up the varsity and Mysuru city and its culture, weather and cleanliness and how it treated foreigners. Finally, I decided to study at St Philomena’s College.”

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