Foreign Admissions Fall to Zero at Islamic University as Half of Enrolled Students Leave Without Finishing

Foreign students are losing interest in Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia. Because of higher tuition fees, session backlogs, complicated admissions, a shortage of modern laboratories, instruction in Bangla and internet problems, among other mismanagement, nearly 50 percent of the foreign students who enrolled have returned to their home countries without finishing their studies. Undergraduate admissions of foreign students have fallen to zero in the last two academic years.

University sources say that from the 2016-17 to the 2024-25 academic years, a total of 72 foreign students were admitted at the PhD, MPhil, master's and undergraduate levels. Of them, 36 completed their courses, which is 50 percent of the total. At present, 20 foreign students are studying at the university.

According to the figures, in 2016-17 seven foreign students were admitted and three completed their studies. In 2017-18, 22 were admitted and 16 completed their courses. From 2020-21 to 2023-24, 11 students were admitted. However, no foreign student was admitted at the undergraduate level in 2024-25 or 2025-26. In 2024-25, only two students were admitted to the MPhil programme.

Of the 31 students admitted at the undergraduate level, 15 have left their studies unfinished, about 48.39 percent. Among 28 admitted at the postgraduate level, five did not complete their courses; among eight PhD students, four; and among five MPhil students, two. The 20 foreign students currently studying are citizens of Nepal, Nigeria, India and Gambia.

Foreign students complain that they are not receiving even half of the facilities promised at admission. Session backlogs also cause them suffering when extending their visas. With most classes held in Bangla, they face language problems, and they say they are also deprived of good food in the dormitories, adequate counselling and timely publication of results.

Salima Jalle, a student from Gambia of the 2021-22 session, said: 'Financial pressure and the rising cost of living are reducing the number of foreign students. There is not enough inclusive environment or opportunity for us to mix socially at the university either. To overcome the crisis, monthly scholarships for foreign students, intercultural programmes and an effective foreign affairs cell are needed.'

Administration sources say the crisis has arisen because the foreign cell has no permanent office, there is a shortage of manpower, and there is no adequate planning for foreign students.

Foreign cell officer Shahadat Hossain said the cell cannot work effectively because of manpower and infrastructure shortages. Foreign students' tuition fees are higher than those of local students, and their hall fees are about six times as much. The quality of the halls and the absence of separate dining and tutor arrangements increase their suffering, he said. He added that in 2025-26, not a single application was received from foreign students at the undergraduate level.