Interaction with Foreign Students at University of Delhi

I am really happy to see so many international students representing so many countries in University of Delhi. It's a matter of pride to all of us. On behalf of University of Delhi, I welcome you all in Delhi and in our country India that is Bharat.

I am also thankful to my dear students for selecting University of Delhi for your studies. We are really extremely thankful to you. You could have selected any other university but you have decided to take admission in University of Delhi. We are thankful and grateful to all of you. This is now your second home, my dear students. Congratulations for that. You are now part of this vibrant academic community that is University of Delhi. This campus speaks many languages and carries many cultures. As the vice chancellor of this great seat of learning, I can assure you that you have taken a right decision and you will never repent this decision throughout your life. This I can assure you. But the question is why? As we all know, Delhi University is 103 years old institution. First of all, we know how to run a university. We have experience, traditions, values, systems, methods, methodologies to run a university. We have the right kind of academic atmosphere and research ecosystem in our university. We promote creativity, entrepreneurship, innovation and an atmosphere of free flow of ideas. We promote discussions and deliberations in the university.

This is one aspect. Second, someone can say these are very philosophical things, everyone can say that. But I would like to share some parameters. Nowadays everything is very transparent in this world and there is a rating agency we call QS World University Ranking, Quacquarelli Symonds World University Ranking, and Delhi University is ranked globally 328th position globally. Among Indian universities, we are number one in our country. Among all higher education institutions of India, including medical or technology institutions, combining everyone, we are ranked at seventh best higher education institution. When it comes to ranking, they are dependent on various parameters, we call it sub-parameters. One parameter is employment outcome. In employment outcome parameter, we are ranked globally at 30th position. Although worldwide 328, but when it comes to this parameter, we are ranked globally 30th and number one in India. International Research Network is also another parameter. International research network we are globally ranked at 294th position, better than our cumulative position and second in our country. Third is academic reputation. We are ranked at 248th globally and sixth in India. Sustainability. Nowadays sustainability has also become a buzzword, and we Indians have not promoted this word sustainability because sustainability is in our culture, it is in our blood, it is in our systems. But because many other countries are responsible and now they have coined the word sustainability and now they are pushing that sustainability may be true, but it is in Indian systems. When you will be here with us for a few years, you will realize this. But besides that, sustainability globally we are ranked at 297th position and India sixth position in the higher education institutions.

This is about international ranking. But in India we have also another ranking, Indian ranking system which we call National Institution Ranking Framework. Some parameters are different. In university category, University of Delhi is ranked at fifth best university as per NIRF. You can say that internationally you are saying you are number one and here it is fifth. There are different reasons for that because this university is not only for classes, this is the university which is for masses. We have, if we do not include campus of open learning, then we have about 2.5 lakh students. If we include that also, then we have about 6.5 lakh students in our university. They are our strength. But yes, and you will be very happy to know, my dear students, five best colleges as per NIRF ranking are University of Delhi colleges. I would like to name Hindu College ranked first in India with marks 84.01, second is Miranda House 83.22, third is Hansraj 81.75, then Khorimal 80.33, St. Stephen's 79.41. So from the list, first five colleges are our colleges, sixth we missed, then seventh is our college, seventh is Atma Sanatan Dharma College 76.09, after that 11th Venkateswara is our college, Venkateswara College 72.61, 11th position. World is very competitive, see the difference only a few marks difference. Then Deshbandhu 13th position 71.26, Lady Shriram College 17th 69.87, and SRCC 18th 69.01.

But only one thing is, one can argue why are these numbers not that important. Yes, we do understand numbers are not that important but they speak a lot. The numbers speak a lot. They give us direction. They also represent the things which are happening in the institutions. So, University of Delhi and its colleges are doing extremely well. I would like to thank all students, bright students, alumni and faculty officers and officials of University of Delhi for making Delhi University as Delhi University. Another is the assessment and accreditation. This is because when we say ranking, ranking is relative relative to other institutions. But then there is an absolute type of thing, accreditation, and there is an agency in India, National Assessment and Accreditation Council, NAAC. NAAC has graded Delhi University A++ grade with CGPA of 3.55 in cycle 2, highest possible grade. The highest grade is A++ and Delhi University is graded as A++. Another important parameter of research: when I say that we have a right kind of research ecosystem in our university, one parameter is H-index of the university. For individual scientists also, professors also, for students also we have H-index, and for institution also. Delhi University H-index is 302, the highest H-index of any higher education institution of our country.

My dear student, there is no second university in the entire world like Delhi University. So there is no second University of Delhi in the entire world. We are in the capital city of India that is Delhi. One thing I would like to share with you about Delhi. Someone has rightly written somewhere, I would like to quote: No one is alone in Delhi. No one is alone in Delhi. City is your friend. No one is alone in Delhi. City is your friend. So I would like to request all of you, my dear students, make Delhi as your friend. City will always be with you. It's such a wonderful amazing city. In India, we do not have any city like Delhi. Everyone feels empowered. This city supports everyone. If you are coming from different states of India, then also you will feel that this is my city. If you are coming from other countries also, this city will feel that this is your city. This is the strength of Delhi. No one is alone in Delhi. City is your friend. Make Delhi as friend and make Delhi University as your place of career. We have outstanding and distinguished faculty, praiseworthy facilities and remarkable infrastructure. Large alumni base. If I have to count, in last 100 years or 103 years, number may go beyond 1 crore alumni database and bright students like you. So my dear students, you are in right hands at right time. I can confidently say as vice chancellor of this University of Delhi that you have taken a right decision. You will not repent this decision throughout your life.

Your presence on campus enriches us academically, culturally and intellectually. You are very important to us. You come to us from different countries, cultures and educational traditions, bringing with you diverse perspectives that add depth and vitality to our classrooms, laboratories and conversations. The university firmly believes that internationalization of education is not merely about mobility but about meaningful engagement, mutual respect and shared growth. We should respect every student, every culture. International students bring varied perspectives that enhance critical thinking, inquiry and innovation. Delhi University students in turn benefit from global exposure without leaving the campus, preparing them for an interconnected world. I would like to acknowledge the valuable partnership of Indian Council for Cultural Relations. I am extremely thankful from the core of my heart in facilitating academic exchange and strengthening India's educational and cultural ties with the world. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to academic diplomacy and global cooperation. Thank you ICCR for taking all such initiatives.

ICCR scholarship scheme and nomination channels provide increased and structured intake of foreign students. As Dean FSR Professor Rupam Kapoor has shared, a total of 560 foreign students have been admitted in the university in the academic year 2025-26. 560 foreign students and these students represent 54 countries, reflecting the university's expanding international footprint. And you know, in Delhi University, girl student presence is more than boys. We have more than 50% girl students in our university. We are really proud of that. But when it comes to the international students, female foreign students 293 outnumbered male students 267, underscoring the university's inclusive and welcoming academic atmosphere. So for Indian students, this percentage is more than 50%, and for international students also, the percentage is more than 50%. So 21st century belongs to whom? Politically everyone, but for the daughters of this globe. This belongs to the daughters of the globe. 21st century. This is the best century.

Out of these 560, 249 students are sponsored by ICCR fellowship and remaining 311 are self-financed students. But when we see the data between self-financed and the ICCR results are very different, I would like to share that also. Self-financed students represent continents and countries like from Asia 14 countries under self-finance category, 14 countries, Europe 3, North America 2, Oceania 1 that is Australia, and Africa one that is Rwanda. But when it comes to ICCR financed students in University of Delhi, it is very different. We have 249 students under that category. Asia 18 countries representing 18 countries, previously 14 countries. I just keep this also through 14 countries. But here in this, 18 countries, Africa 20 countries. But in that mode only one country, but here 20 countries. Europe two countries: Russia and Ukraine. And in the earlier setup, countries are Canada and United States of America; here Ukraine and Russia. Oceania one country: Republic of Fiji; there it was Australia. So here students are representing 40 countries across four continents. So from both the channels we are getting bright students, students from different backgrounds, different cultures and different countries. University of Delhi is thankful to ICCR for providing bright students across Asia, Africa, Europe and America.

My dear students, you are not alone in your journey of academic excellence. You are not alone. From academic matters to personal well-being, the University of Delhi and the Foreign Student Registry, International Relations Office stand committed to supporting you at every step. We believe in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. That is world is a family. You are our children. You are our children. We are with you always. Please remember this. You are our children and we will always be with you in difficult times, in happy times. Every time University of Delhi will be with you. When you will be out of University of Delhi, then also in your heart there will be a place occupied by University of Delhi throughout your life. I would also like to share the popularity of courses amongst foreign students. Which courses are popular among foreign students? B.Com we have admitted 120 students this year. Economics 30, B.Tech 3, Journalism 12, English 17, Psychology 17, and Buddhist Studies 50, and so on.

You will have wonderful time. Focus on your studies and understand India. My dear students, this time will never come back. This is the best possible time of your life. Understand India, understand Indian value systems. We also would like to understand you and your culture. We want you to become ambassador of University of Delhi and our country India. May your time at the University of Delhi not only earn you a degree, you will get the degree but also give you lifelong memories, friendships and deeper understanding of India and its values. Again I am coming back lastly. So you have taken a right decision. Don't worry about it. How many of you are happy here? Please raise your hand. Those who are happy. Okay. Those very good. But those who are not happy. Those who are not happy. If you have some difficulties, please approach dean of the Foreign Student Registry and chairperson of International Relations. They will help you. And if they do not help you due to some reason or other, then please approach the office of the vice chancellor. Although they will help you, no doubt, no debate on that. But still sometimes due to some rule here or some rule there or some difficulties, some challenges or difficulty of anything, please approach the office of the vice chancellor. Together we will resolve those issues which are disturbing you, which are creating hurdles in your career path. I am very hopeful that next few years will be very fruitful in your life. All the best. May God bless you and always be with you. Thank you. Thank you very much.