Foreign Students in Kerala vexed due to Malayalam lectures

60 students from 24 nations took part in the meeting organised by the Centre for International Academics in Kerala University.

Most of them comprised of students from Iran and African countries. Students from Rwanda, Uganda, Chad, Tanzania, Fiji, Ethiopia, France, Ghana, Kazakhstan, Senegal, Kenya, Nepal, Indonesia, Spain, Nigeria, Liberia, South Africa, Sudan, Taiwan and Afghanistan were at the meeting.

Students from universities from all districts and a few colleges that are affiliated took part from Kerala. They discussed the obstacles the foreign students face in Kerala, such as lectures in Malayalam. Students suggested that they could be provided with medical insurances. Setting up of international hostels was in general demand.

German Deputy Consul General in India, Hans Gunter Loffler inaugurated the function. The gathering was presided over by pro-vice chancellor of Kerala University, N Veeramanikandan. Others who were present at the inaugural function include Alice Gauny of Alliance Francaise de Trivandrum, Syndicate member Mohanachandran Nair, Syed Ibrahim of Goethe Zentrum, Registrar Mohammed Basheer; and Mini Dijo Kappan, director of planning.

Cultural programmes were presented by both foreign students and the students of Kerala University. It was followed by Kathakali performance. Indonesian pop songs, Iranian folk music, flute and Ugandan dance were performed on stage.