International Students in India: Odisha and KIIT Lead Higher Education Globalisation

Odisha Gains Momentum as an International Education Hub

Odisha is steadily carving out a place on India’s global education map, with rising international student enrolment and expanding academic linkages. A recent assessment by NITI Aayog highlights this trend, noting that the state has emerged as one of the country’s leading destinations for foreign learners—an outcome aligned with India’s long-term education reforms under the National Education Policy 2020 .

Odisha’s Standing Among Indian States

The report places Odisha within the top ten Indian states attracting international students, placing it ahead of neighbouring regions such as West Bengal, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. Notably, Bhubaneswar has surpassed traditional metros like Kolkata and Hyderabad as a preferred academic city. This shift reflects improvements in campus infrastructure, student services, and proactive global outreach by institutions based in the state.

KIIT’s Expanding International Footprint

At the centre of this transformation is Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology . Despite operating from a Tier-II city, KIIT accommodates more than 2,000 international students representing close to 70 countries. This accounts for a significant share of all foreign students studying in eastern India. Its global alumni community, numbering over 5,000 graduates, further strengthens the university’s international profile and long-term global connections.

Academic Collaboration and Faculty Exchange

KIIT’s engagement extends beyond student mobility. During the current academic year, the university has hosted around 350 visiting international faculty members and doctoral researchers. These scholars have arrived from globally reputed institutions such as Harvard University, MIT, the University of Washington, City University of New York, and the University of Virginia. Structured initiatives—including global faculty exchanges, immersion programmes, and credit-transfer study abroad options—have enabled sustained academic interaction and research collaboration.

International Outreach Through IndiaTrek

A key driver of KIIT’s global visibility is its IndiaTrek programme. Through this initiative, the university regularly welcomes international delegations comprising diplomats, academics, policy professionals, and youth leaders. Each year, more than 1,000 foreign delegates participate in these engagements, and the campus has hosted lectures by nearly 25 Nobel Laureates. Supported by modern facilities and institutional leadership, such programmes have positioned KIIT as a recognised platform for international dialogue and knowledge exchange.

Key Exam-Oriented Takeaways

• The National Education Policy 2020 places strong emphasis on the internationalisation of higher education.

• Odisha features among India’s top ten states in attracting international students.

• KIIT hosts the largest concentration of foreign students in eastern India.

• NITI Aayog functions as the central policy think tank of the Government of India.