The International Students Centre (ISC) of Sardar Patel University was founded in the academic year 2004-05 through a University Circular No.D-E/10/1197 dated 29.5.2004 with the twin objectives of (a) assisting the International Student Community by providing information about the various courses offered, admission procedure, eligibility criteria, fee to be charged etc, and (b) arranging for their admissions, helping them settle down quickly and happily in their studies, and taking care of their welfare.
The University attracts quite a good number of foreign students every year. The fact that the cost of living and education in Vallabh Vidyanagar is easily manageable is an additional reason for international scholars joining this University for studies.
Since its inception, the ISC coordinates all the activities related to the admission of international students through a Single Window System. It coordinates with Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and with different Embassies and Consulates for various purposes including assisting the international students to obtain Student or Research Visa, Scholarships etc.
Professor H J Jani of GH Patel Postgraduate Institute of Business Management (MBA Department) and Professor AVRL Narsimhacharya of the Department of Biosciences in the University were the first two Advisors who led the ISC ably from 29.05.2004 to 22.08.2006.
During their tenure, Professor Narsimhacharya was deputed by the University to represent the University in the Higher Education Fair organised by the UGC, New Delhi in Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia, and the late Professor R Prabhakar was assigned by the University to represent the University in the Fair organised by the UGC, New Delhi in Sudan under its PIHED Programme in 2004-05. Professor H J Jani was sent by the University to represent the University in such a Fair organised in Mauritius in 2005-06.
Dr J H Khan of the Department of English in the University (www.javedspu.net) was appointed and took over as Honorary Director with effect from 23.08.2006.
Currently,Prof. A.H. Hasmani is Honourable Director of International Students Centre. He has taken the charge on 01/09/2017.
Since 2004 to 2015, ISC has handled more than 200 students from China, Thailand, Qatar, USA, Ghana, Mongolia, Sudan, Nepal, Kenya, Iraq, Mozambique, Iraq, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Philippines, Yemen, Syria, etc. Most of these are ICCR Awardees.
Click here for the list of students admitted since 2016-17.