As Andhra University approaches its 100th foundation day on April 26, 2026, the centenary celebrations are shaping up to be more than just an academic commemoration. They are emerging as vibrant displays of diverse cultures, traditions, cuisines and languages. The celebrations highlight the university’s long-standing international ties, reaffirming its role as a center where local heritage meets global exchange.
“Currently, Andhra University has approximately 1,150 international students from 57 countries. This is the highest in India, with students enrolled in undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes,” said AU’s Dean of International Affairs, Prof. S. Paul Douglas says.
The presence of international students in Andhra University is not a new thing. 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 formal structure emerged in the late 1990s with the establishment of the Office of International Affairs. This helped streamline admissions, student services and institutional collaboration.
Professor Douglas says, “This scale is not accidental, but the result of sustained engagement across sectors. This year, the largest number of students is from Bangladesh, numbering over 150. A significant proportion of our international students also come from African countries, with representation from across the continent.”
What sets this group apart is not only its diversity but also its consistency. “Many students stay here for a long time. Some students have been here for seven to ten years, completing their bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral studies,” says Professor Douglas. In disciplinary terms, engineering remains the main attraction, while doctoral enrollments are concentrated in the sciences.
For Abidullah Abede of Afghanistan, a doctoral scholar in the law department, the centenary has both symbolic and personal resonance. He says, “As an international student and member of the university community, I am proud to be a part of this celebration. Campus life has been thoroughly enjoyable for me so far.”
Vice Chancellor of Andhra University, Prof. GP Raja Shekhar with faculty members and international students at the International Student Festival. | Photo Courtesy: V. Raju
Food, Music and Dance
The centenary year has highlighted international involvement through cultural practices, with food particularly emerging as a point of connection.
“As soon as a foreign student comes to India, within 24 to 48 hours they tell us, ‘We ate your biryani,'” says Professor Douglas. This highlights the urgency with which culinary exchanges begin. Building on this shared vocabulary, the University organized a food festival on March 22 at the AU Convention Centre, bringing together participants from nearly 40 countries.
“About 40 countries participated, each preparing food for about 100 people. We served about 4,000 plates from the international participants and another 2,000 plates from the Department of Food Science and Technology,” he says. The scale of the event was both logistical and symbolic. “We sold around 5,000 coupons,” he adds, adding that each plate was priced at ₹50 to ensure accessibility.
The menu covers different geographical regions, ranging from Afghan Kabuli Pulao, rich with dried fruits 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 innovative combinations of taste and technique.
B. For Annette from Ghana, a second-year pharmacy student, the program provided an opportunity to offer a sense of home. “We prepared our own traditional dishes—banku, which is made from corn starch and served with okra soup, and wakaye, a dish made of rice and beans,” she says.
If the food festival provided an entry point, the cultural event held on March 26 enhanced that engagement through performance and narrative. Students introduced their countries with short presentations, followed by music and dance.
“The event lasted more than five hours and included music, dance and visual presentations,” says Professor Douglas. He further added, “Within a few minutes, one could understand the culture and traditions of the country.” The format required careful time management. The professor says, “We had to cut down some performances due to time constraints. We are planning another cultural program to accommodate the elaborate presentations.”
Before the performance began, students presented a brief introduction to their countries, highlighting culture, economy and tradition. He says, “It was very enlightening. In just five minutes one can understand a country in a way that is not possible otherwise.”
Beyond the centenary calendar, international students have increased their participation in other events. Purnata Chakraborty Disha, a B.Tech student in Computer Science from Bangladesh, says, “With our team, we recently performed at the cultural festival, and now we are preparing for the Bharatnatyam fusion performance for the centenary festival.”
global exposure
The celebrations have brought global commitments back into focus, as exposure to a diverse student body has expanded institutional horizons. Professor Douglas says, “These conversations have opened up our perspective. We are now actively collaborating with international universities, including through joint programs and exchange initiatives.”
Current partnerships include institutions in Sweden and Australia, with additional agreements currently under negotiation. He says, “Vice Chancellor Prof. GP Rajasekhar aims to initiate 100 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or Letters of Intent with institutions across the world,” he said, adding that the centenary year is being used as an opportunity to strengthen these efforts.
Bangladeshi students practicing Bharatnatyam fusion dance at AU International Hostel in MVP Colony ahead of the centenary celebrations of Andhra University. | Photo Credit: Paul Nicodemus
prosperous lifestyle
As mentioned earlier, a significant portion of the international students at Andhra University are supported by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). “Students sponsored by ICCR receive a fellowship of ₹15,000 to ₹18,000 per month along with accommodation assistance, which also covers their tuition fees and air travel,” he says.
The regulatory framework is structured. “Students will have to report to the Foreign Registration Office (FRO) Visakhapatnam City office within 48 hours of arrival and will thereafter be monitored by the Home Ministry from time to time,” he says.
Recent coordination between local authorities has addressed some of these issues. Following an initiative led by Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner Shankha Brata Bagchi, a mechanism has been set up to ease access to essential services.
The professor further mentions that plans are also being considered to build two additional hostels for men and women for international students within the campus. “The aim is to improve the quality of life through upgraded amenities including individual rooms and kitchen spaces,” he says.
city of destiny
The university’s initiatives along with various formal events shape the experience of living in Visakhapatnam for many international students. “Students prefer Visakhapatnam compared to metro cities because it is peaceful and safe,” says Professor Douglas. “They don’t have to face the kind of exploitation that is sometimes seen in big cities.” The concept of security extends to independent living arrangements.
“There is no obligation for students to live in hostels. Many now live independently in rented apartments, often sharing accommodation and using their housing allowance,” he says. “Even female students living independently feel safe and supported by local communities.”
For Namibian Master of Education student Lucia Ndatelila Kanhalelo, change has been gradual. She says, “When I first came, I was unsure about the food and culture. Now, I feel like I belong here. My department has been supportive, and I’ve learned a lot through seminars and international conferences.”
Students in Yemen also express similar sentiments. Mohammad Alhaddad, M. Pharmacy student, and Ahmed Ghaleb, M. Sc. Are studying. The biotechnology company describes Visakhapatnam as a place that “feels like home now”. He says participation in the centenary celebrations “will remain a lasting memory”.
For Srishti Sikdar, a master’s student in journalism and mass communication from Bangladesh, the experience has been transformative. She says, “I was initially apprehensive about moving to a new country, but it turned out well. Hostel life, faculty support and the centenary celebrations, as well as interactions with students from different countries, have given us the opportunity to connect more deeply.”
For many international students, the centenary is not just an institutional milestone, but a shared moment of participation and belonging, extending beyond borders and into the university’s next century.
