The importance of attracting international students to the universities and colleges in the State was underlined by the Commission for Reforms in Higher Education in its report submitted to the Department of Higher Education, Government of Kerala in 2022.

Better economic infrastructure, strong academic diaspora, excellent digital connectivity, multicultural society, geographic location and natural beauty, excellence in the State’s education sector, good air connectivity,etc. are some of the factors that place Kerala in a strong position to attract foreign students for self-funded short-term programmes. Significantly, students from Kerala form an important group within international students in the US, the UK, Canada, Australia and many other countries. This would be helpful in attracting foreign students to the State for short-term programmes.

Under the “Study in Kerala” short-term foreign students would be hosted in select institutions in the State by offering innovative programmes on topics of global interest, along with innovative cultural immersion programmes.