inner banner
African students find Tamil Nadu a safe bet for higher education


For Nzamvveth Orifa, an MSc microbiology student from Rwanda, Coimbatore has become a home away from home. He is part of the growing tribe of international students, especially from Africa, who are enrolling themselves in colleges in the region for its quality education, affordable courses and, most importantly, the near absence of racial discrimination. If the experience of Nzamvveth and his friends are an indication, Coimbatore, and Tamil Nadu overall, does not fit into the stereotype that India is a highly colour-conscious, even racist, society where African students are treated poorly. "I had thought of applying to universities in Delhi, Noida and Gurgaon, but my seniors discouraged me with accounts of racist attacks. These incidents have scarred us. Coimbatore with hardly any such cases of discrimination and its good quality colleges is best suited for me," said Nzamvveth of CMS College of Arts and Science. According to police records, there are 653 students from various countries pursuing higher education in the Manchester of south India. While the students are a global mix coming from as far as the US and Albania, the city is a favoured destination for students from Sudan, Rwanda and Nigeria who alone account for two-thirds of them.

 

The reputation of Coimbatore seems to have been built over the years through word of mouth. "Our seniors who first visited Coimbatore almost ten years ago felt it was a good place to pursue higher education, and it is their goodwill and feedback that has made many of us pursue graduation here," said Nzamvveth. A Tamil Nadu Agricultural University spokesperson told TOI that good alumni feedback is crucial to get international students "If the students are comfortable, and satisfied with the quality of the education, they spread the message." While Coimbatore is a hub of Rwandan and Sudanese students, Erode is a preferred location for Kenyans. Aware of the issues a global community of students may face, colleges are particular about maintaining equality among foreign students with some of them conducting awareness programmes for local students on racism and equality.

 

"We ensure additional support for international students as we realize the cultural differences," said a TNAU spokesperson. Though there are no concrete laws against racial discrimination in educational institutions, most account it under ragging. In case a student is found involved in racial discrimination, institutions tend to suspend or even rusticate them. Educational consultant J P Gandhi feels the presence of some world famous institutes and the pleasant climate in the region is a crowd puller when it comes to foreign students. "Some institutions have made a mark globally for their excellence. Others have exchange programmes which help to popularize the institutions in other countries," said Gandhi. While the city is known for technical education, with over 70 engineering colleges, international students are interested in commerce, management and science courses. "Most African students join arts, commerce and management courses. Only a few have taken up engineering but pharmacy is in demand," said the Coimbatore police commissioner A K Viswanathan.

 

Coimbatore seems to dissolve the initial scepticism with which African students land there. Yzes Mbonyimana, 24, from Rwanda who came here for undergratuation liked it enough to pursue his masters in computer science. "When I came here, I was scared whether I would be able to adjust to the place. The faculty and students treated me as their family and in a couple of months, I began to admire the city, its people and culture, I was convinced that I should do my postgraduation from here."

Posted on 24 Jul 2015