A group of 159 Nepalese students from KIIT University has returned to Nepal, citing severe mistreatment during their stay in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The students, who had traveled to India to pursue their higher education, have alleged that their time at the university was marred by both academic and living conditions that they deemed unbearable.
According to the students, the university’s hostel facilities were overcrowded, with limited access to basic necessities like clean water, food, and hygiene products. Some students went as far as to describe their stay as “traumatic,” with many citing isolation from their families and lack of emotional support. These factors reportedly led to several students feeling depressed, anxious, and physically unwell.
Academic frustrations also played a major role in the students’ dissatisfaction. According to the students, there was a lack of faculty attention, inadequate resources, and a general feeling of being neglected in their academic pursuits. Many students claim they were unable to get proper assistance when they faced challenges in their coursework, leaving them to struggle on their own.
The situation escalated when some of the students expressed their concerns to university authorities, but they claim their grievances were ignored or dismissed. In a formal complaint sent to the Nepalese embassy, the students stated that the university showed little interest in addressing their issues and was more concerned with maintaining its public image.
The Nepalese embassy has now initiated an investigation, with officials from Kathmandu in contact with KIIT authorities to discuss the claims made by the students. The embassy has also arranged for the safe return of the affected students, many of whom have expressed their desire to continue their education at institutions in Nepal or other countries.
While the university has denied any wrongdoing, it has pledged to investigate the allegations and take corrective measures where necessary. The controversy has raised questions about how foreign students are treated in Indian universities and has prompted calls for better monitoring of the facilities provided to international students.