Osmania University gets its own international students hostel

After a wait of more than 10 years, Osmania University’s dream of a hostel for foreign students has finally taken shape. The modern hostel was inaugurated recently by chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Ved Prakash.

For the moment, the plush two-storeyed building, which can house 172 students, will only be available for male students pursuing their Masters or PhD courses. The reasons being cited are multiple, including security.

The hostel has 16 two-bed rooms and 18 three-bed rooms on each of the two floors.

“Each two-bed room also has a small kitchenette while a common spacious dining hall and kitchen on each floor is available for cooking. A sports lounge and a reading room with television are other attractions,” says C. Venugopal Rao, Director, University Foreign Relations Office (UFRO).

With a built-up area of nearly 50,000 sq.ft., the hostel was constructed at a cost of about Rs. 6.75 crore. Though there are just two floors now there is a provision for adding two more stories.

In fact, The idea of an International Students Hostel was mooted way back in 2002 and a proposal was submitted to the UGC seeking a financial assistance of Rs. 3.63 crores.

The authorities then planned to accommodate 200 students and an International Transit House with a provision of accommodating 50 girl students. However, the idea fructified only in February 2010 when the foundation stone was laid by the then Vice Chancellor, T. Tirupati Rao.