Kerman, Iran: Indian students at Kerman University of Medical Sciences (KMU) in Iran have appealed to educational consultants and admission counsellors in Jammu & Kashmir to stop recommending the university to prospective students until concerns over hostel accommodation and student welfare are addressed.
The Indian Students Association at KMU said a significant number of Indian students enrolled at the university are from Jammu & Kashmir and have faced persistent difficulties with accommodation, which it said is mandatory for international students.
According to the association, the university-affiliated accommodation is managed by a private contractor, leaving international students without an alternative despite the compulsory residence requirement.
The students said they are charged around USD 100 per person each month for accommodation, with four students sharing rooms measuring approximately 12 by 12 feet. They also said around 15 students may share a kitchen and washroom, while food services cost an additional USD 70 per month.
The association said students have raised concerns about the charges, living conditions and management of the accommodation with the university’s International Affairs Department repeatedly over the past year, but claimed that their representations had not resulted in a satisfactory resolution.
Students have also alleged that some individuals who questioned the accommodation arrangements were threatened with consequences involving their university portal accounts. Complaints about inappropriate treatment of students have also been raised, the association said.
“We are not questioning the academic quality of the university. Our concern is the accommodation system and the lack of an alternative for international students,” a student, speaking on condition of anonymity, said.
The association has urged consultants in Jammu & Kashmir to inform prospective students and their families about the concerns and refrain from facilitating new admissions until the issues raised by existing students are independently examined and addressed.
The students have sought permission for international students to arrange private accommodation at their own expense. If university accommodation remains compulsory, they have called for a transparent review of accommodation charges, facilities and management arrangements.
The association has also appealed to the Embassy of India in Tehran, the Ministry of External Affairs, elected representatives from Jammu & Kashmir and relevant student organisations to take note of the concerns and assist in raising the matter with the appropriate authorities.
The association said its appeal was not directed against KMU or the people of Iran, but was aimed at ensuring that Indian students, particularly those from Jammu & Kashmir, can study in a safe, dignified and financially reasonable environment.
