Odisha Rises as Premier Destination for Global Students
Odisha is rapidly transforming into a favored center for foreign students seeking higher education in India. This growing trend receives strong validation from a recent NITI Aayog report. The state now proudly sits among India's top ten states for attracting international scholars.
KIIT University Leads the Charge
KIIT University stands out as the country's fifth-best institution for drawing foreign students. The university's location in Bhubaneswar, a Tier-II city within Odisha, has not hindered its global appeal. Currently, KIIT hosts more than 2,000 international students from 70 different nations.
This impressive figure represents a significant portion of the 2,362 foreign students enrolled across all universities in eastern India. KIIT also boasts a robust global alumni network exceeding 5,000 international graduates.
Outperforming Neighboring States and Cities
Odisha's performance surpasses that of neighboring states including West Bengal, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. Similarly, Bhubaneswar city has emerged more successful than larger metropolitan centers like Kolkata and Hyderabad in attracting foreign scholars.
This development aligns perfectly with the National Education Policy 2020's vision. The policy places internationalization of higher education at the forefront of its priorities.
Flagship Initiatives Drive Global Engagement
KIIT's IndiaTrek initiative serves as a cornerstone of its international outreach. In 2025 alone, the program welcomed an impressive 350-member delegation. IndiaTrek functions as a unique cultural-academic immersion platform.
It brings together international delegates, diplomats, scholars, and youth leaders. Participants experience India's educational ecosystem, cultural heritage, and social development models firsthand.
Attracting Global Faculty and Delegates
The current academic session witnessed nearly 350 international visiting faculty members and Ph.D. scholars arriving at KIIT. These academics came from prestigious global institutions including Harvard University, MIT, University of Washington, and City University of New York.
Other participating institutions included The University of Tulsa, University of Virginia, and Seattle University. These scholars spent 10 to 15 days on campus, interacting with students and visiting important tourism sites.
KIIT consistently attracts over 1,000 foreign delegates annually. The institution has hosted approximately 25 Nobel Laureate lectures, adding to its academic prestige. More than 350,000 delegates from across India have visited KIIT and its sister institution KISS for various events.
Interestingly, about half of Indian delegates come specifically to participate in sports events at the campus.
Foundations of Success
These achievements stem from multiple factors. World-class infrastructure, including excellent sports facilities, plays a crucial role. National and international rankings and accolades have boosted the institution's reputation.
The profound societal impact of Dr. Achyuta Samanta, founder of both KIIT and KISS, has been instrumental. The institutions have facilitated extensive international academic exchanges through several programs.
These include Global Faculty Programmes, the Global Immersion Programme, and the Credit-Based Study Abroad Programme. These initiatives enable both faculty hosting and student exchanges with institutions worldwide.
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