As Andhra University approaches its 100th Foundation Day on April 26, 2026, the centenary celebrations are unfolding as more than just an academic commemoration. They are created as a live show of different cultures, traditions, cuisines and languages. The celebrations highlight the University’s longstanding international relationships and reaffirm its role as a hub where local heritage meets global exchange.
“Currently, Andhra University has around 1150 international students from 57 countries. This is one of the highest in India, with students enrolled in undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes,” says Prof. Sr. Paul Douglas, AU Dean of International Affairs.
The presence of foreign students in Andhra University is not new. For decades, the university has attracted students from Asia and Africa through its academic reputation and scholarship programs, particularly those administered by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). However, a more formalized structure emerged with the establishment of the Office of International Affairs in the late 1990s. This has helped streamline admissions, student services and institutional collaboration.
“The range is not accidental, but is the result of sustained engagement across regions. This year, the largest number of students is from Bangladesh with more than 150. A significant proportion of our international students also come from African countries with representation from across the continent,” says Prof. Douglas.
What sets this cohort apart is not only its diversity, but also its continuity. “Many students stay here for a long time. Some stay here for seven to ten years and complete their bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral studies,” notes prof. Douglas. Disciplinarily, engineering remains the main draw, while PhD studies focus on the sciences.
For Abeedullah Aabede of Afghanistan, a PhD student in the Department of Law, the centenary has both symbolic and personal resonance. “As an international student and member of the university community, I am proud to be a part of this celebration. Life on campus has been very enjoyable for me so far,” he says.
Andhra University Vice Chancellor Prof. GP Raja Sekhar along with faculty and international students at the International Students’ Feast Fest. | Photo credit: V. RAJU
Food, music and dancing
International participation in the centenary was emphasized through cultural practices, with food in particular emerging as a point of connection.
“The moment any foreign student comes to India, within 24 to 48 hours they tell us, ‘We ate your biryani,'” notes Prof. Douglas. This underlines the immediacy with which the culinary exchange begins. Based on this shared vocabulary, the university organized a food festival at the AU Convention Center on March 22, which brought together participants from nearly 40 countries.
“About 40 countries participated, each preparing food for almost 100 people. We served around 4,000 plates from the international participants and another 2,000 from the Food Science and Technology department,” he says. The scale of the event was both logistical and symbolic. “We sold about 5,000 coupons,” he adds, pricing each slab at ₹50 to ensure availability.
The menu spanned a variety of geographies, from Afghan Kabuli pulao – rich in dried fruit and meat – to dishes from West Asia, Southeast Asia and several African cuisines. Vegetarian offerings from countries such as Vietnam and Cambodia were also included. For many visitors, the spread provided not only variety, but also novel combinations of flavors and techniques.
For Anette from Ghana, a second-year B.Pharmacy student, the event offered an opportunity to introduce a sense of home. “We prepared our traditional dishes – banka, made from corn starch and served with okra soup, and waakye, a rice and bean dish,” he says.
If the food festival was the entry point, the cultural program held on March 26 expanded that engagement through performance and storytelling. Students introduced their countries with short presentations followed by music and dance.
“The event lasted over five hours and included music, dance and visual presentations,” says Professor Douglas, adding: “Within a few minutes it was possible to understand the culture and traditions of the country.” The format required careful time management. “We had to curtail some performances due to time constraints. We are planning another cultural event to cover the fuller presentations,” says the professor
Before the start of the performance, the students briefly introduced their countries, highlighted their culture, economy and traditions. “It was very enlightening. In just five minutes, one could understand the country in a way that is not possible otherwise,” he says.
Beyond the centenary calendar, foreign students expanded their participation in other events. Purnata Chakrobarty Disha, a B.Tech student in Computer Science from Bangladesh, says, “My team and I recently performed at a cultural festival and now we are preparing a Bharatanatyam fusion performance for Shatabdi Mahotsav.”
Global exposure
The celebrations brought global commitments back into focus as exposure to a diverse student body broadened institutional horizons. “These interactions have opened our perspective. We are now actively seeking cooperation with international universities, including joint programs and exchange initiatives,” says Prof. Douglas.
Existing partnerships include institutions in Sweden and Australia, with further agreements currently under negotiation. “Vice-Chancellor Prof GP Rajasekhar has set a target of initiating up to 100 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) or Letters of Intent with institutions across the world,” he says, adding that the centenary is being used as an opportunity to boost these efforts.
Bangladeshi students rehearse Bharatanatyam fusion dance at AU International Hostel in MVP Colony ahead of Andhra University centenary celebrations. | Photo credit: PAUL NICODEMUS
An enriched lifestyle
As mentioned earlier, a significant proportion of foreign students at Andhra University is supported by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). “ICCR-sponsored students receive stipends ranging from ₹15,000 to ₹18,000 per month along with housing support. Their tuition fees and air travel are also covered,” he says.
The regulatory framework is structured. “Students have to report to the Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) Visakhapatnam City within 48 hours of their arrival and are then monitored regularly by the Home Ministry,” he says.
Recent coordination between local authorities has resolved some of these issues. Under an initiative led by Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner Shankha Brata Bagchi, a mechanism has been put in place to facilitate access to essential services.
The professor further mentions that the construction of two more dormitories for foreign students, for men and women, within the campus is also being considered. “The aim is to improve living standards through better amenities, including individual rooms and kitchen areas,” he says.
The city of destiny
University initiatives, coupled with various formal events, have shaped the experience of living in Visakhapatnam for many international students. “Students prefer Visakhapatnam to metro cities because it is calm and safe,” says Professor Douglas. “They don’t face the kind of exploitation that is sometimes seen in bigger cities.” The perception of safety also extends to the arrangement of independent living.
“Students are not forced to live in hostels. Many now live independently in rented flats, often sharing accommodation and using their housing allowance,” he says. “Even female students living independently report feeling safe and supported by their local communities.”
For Lusia Ndateleela Kanhalelo from Namibia, a Master of Education student, the transition was gradual. “When I first arrived, I wasn’t sure about the food and the culture. Now I feel like I belong here. My department supported me and I learned a lot through seminars and international conferences,” she says.
Students from Yemen echo similar sentiments. Mohammed Alhaddad, an M. Pharmacy student, and Ahmed Ghaleb, who is pursuing an M. Sc. Biotech, describe Visakhapatnam as a place that “feels like home now”. They add that attending the centenary celebrations “will remain a lasting memory”.
For Srishti Sikder, a master’s student in journalism and mass communication from Bangladesh, the experience was transformative. “At first I was afraid of moving to a new country, but it turned out well. Living in a hostel, supporting teachers and interacting with students from different countries, along with the centenary celebrations, gave us the opportunity to get more involved,” she says.
For many international students, the centennial is not just an institutional milestone, but a shared moment of participation and belonging that transcends borders into the university’s next century.
