Kerala Govt to fund foreign and domestic students to boost higher education

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala state government is formulating a new initiative tentatively titled 'World to Kerala Campuses', designed to attract international and out-of-state students to pursue higher education in the state under full government sponsorship.

Envisioned by the Kerala State Higher Education Council, the programme aims to elevate the global and national profile of the state’s higher education sector.

In its initial phase, entry will be offered at the postgraduate level alongside government-funded fellowships. The scheme will select 10 international students and two students each from other states. Beneficiaries will receive full fee waivers alongside state-sponsored living and academic allowances. The specific fellowship stipend amounts are currently being finalised, with candidates to be evaluated using international selection standards.

Higher Education Minister Roji M John noted that if other Indian states operate similar exchange schemes, students from Kerala would also gain opportunities to study across the country. Council vice-chairman Dr Achuthsankar S Nair added that discussions with other states will be initiated to facilitate reciprocal educational arrangements.