FOREIGN CELL Archives - DU Beat - Delhi University's Independent Student Newspaper

The Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) has established the University’s first official Foreign Cell to address the grievances and issues of international students.

The Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) has set up a Foreign Students’ Cell which is set to be first student body at the Delhi University to address foreign students’ grievances and sort out their problems.

The DUSU said that the Cell has been established to address the varied issues of the international students through developing mutual comprehension, cultural exchanges as well as moral diplomatic understanding.

The Delhi University Students’ Union convened an inauguration ceremony of the Foreign Cell on 6th March 2020, in which the honourable guest speakers were Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, President ICCR , MP Rajya Sabha, ShriNiwas, The National Joint Organising Secretary of ABVP, Mr. Sediqullah Sahar, Ambassador , Embassy of Afghanistan, as well as Mr. Vishnu Bahadur Gurung, Nepal. Pradeep Tanwar, Vice President, DUSU, welcomed all the guests and felicitated them; followed by a vote of thanks by Shivangi Kharwal, Joint Secretary, DUSU.

A total of 230 students from 19 countries registered for the Cell, students from Nepal and Afghanistan being the most in number.

Akshit Dahiya, President, DUSU said, “During my campaign, a few international students asked me why they should vote for me if I don’t do anything for them. I promised them that they will have better representation and a formal one. This foreign students’ cell will provide assistance during admissions, FRRO registration as well as in organising extra-curricular activities. The academic aspect has also been included through introducing an award for felicitating the international student with the highest grade point average. The cell is a step towards enhancement of communication between different cultures and also a great opportunity for the students to learn our culture as we learn theirs,”

“Till they find a proper office I have asked them to use mine. This will be an independent body but DUSU will always provide the necessary support they would need at any point of time,” he added.

Nouresha, a Journalism student from Kamala Nehru College said, “As a foreign student, this is a good initiative. Because when I came to India, I didn’t even know what the processes were. Thankfully, somehow I got in touch with some of the Mauritian seniors in DU and they were very helpful. But if they weren’t here, I would have been roaming aimlessly, not knowing what to do. For a foreign student everything seems alien. So if the Foreign Cell helps them from day one, it would be awesome.”

Feature Image Source: DUSU

Paridhi Puri

[email protected]

Keep Reading

On 3rd January 2020, Akhil Bhartiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) led Delhi University’s Student Union (DUSU) met with foreign students of University of Delhi (DU) for establishing DU’s first foreign cell to cater to the needs of foreign students studying in DU.

Akhil Bhartiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) led Delhi University’s Student Union (DUSU) held a meeting at DUSU office in University of Delhi (DU), North Campus on 3rd January 2020 to listen to the needs and difficulties of foreign students studying in DU.

In this discussion DUSU Vice President, Pradeep Tanwar along with DUSU Joint Secretary, Shivangi Khairwal were also present to extend full support to the students.

The motive of the meet was also to discuss the establishment of DU’s first-ever Foreign Cell. Approximately 25 students from 5 different nations put forward problems faced by them during their academic stay in Delhi. Some of the common problems discussed were fee structure, accommodation and linguistic barriers.

The foreign students in anonymity also stated, “We often feel isolated as we don’t belong to the same culture. However, events like this bring pressing issues like Regional Registry office procedure in the discussion.”

In response to their issues, a committee of 15 students from various countries will be launched to pertain to the needs of foreign students particularly and solve the current issues they are facing. A Panel to curb the most prominent communication barrier would also be established.

Selection of the working committee would be done through done Google search and advertisements and then a personal interview would be conducted to judge their merit.

Akshit Dahiya, President, DUSU has invited all interested foreign students to fill the google form to constitute a committee and has offered a volunteering position with DUSU to rest, who are not selected.

Akshit Dahiya, in a conversation with DU Beat, said, “Much more can be expected from DUSU under the leadership of ABVP to uplift the students of DU. A new committee has also been established to promote sports in the Varsity. More than 12,00,000 lakhs have been allocated to give scholarships to students of Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), Persons with Disability (PWD) and of Extra-Circular Activities (ECA) and Sports quota.”

“This is an initiative taken to strengthen the relations between foreign students and ensure their warm stay in India as they pursue their study” Akshit Dahiya added.

Feature Image Credits:Akshit Dahiya

Chhavi Bahmba

[email protected]

Keep Reading