The University Grants Commission (UGC) wants institutions under its supervision to take better care of foreign students, who face numerous problems in their interface with local authorities and professionals like real estate brokers.

A new UGC directive, which asks institutions to act as intermediaries between foreign students and Indian authorities, is expected to smoothen matters after the admission season in July.

While the directive mostly takes the form of a general advisory, the one specific change it recommends is setting up of referral centres for visa related issues. It is universities, which will now be responsible for reporting to the Foreigner Registration Office of the Pune Police about the addition and deletion of names of students in the register.

Copies of the directive have been sent to all state, central, deemed universities and educational institutions recognised by the UGC, home ministry, ministry of finance, and ministry of human resource development and external affairs ministry. The directive will also be circulated to all Indian missions abroad.

"Foreign students face many problems here. They need our support. Universities must take interest in their welfare," said UGC chairman Sukhdeo Thorat.

Foreign students welcomed the UGC's initiative. Saiful Islam, president of the Bangladeshi Students Association (BSA), Pune, said, "It will be a sign of relief if UGC works towards a strong international students centre to solve our residence, visa, and language problems."

Added S Mustaffa, cultural attaché of Bahrain in India, "Universities must take this seriously. We will give our feedback after one year, but the decision is very good."

Said Raju Sarkar, a BSA member, "Brokers charge a month's rent as brokerage and then throw us out. This forces to look for a new flat and pay them brokerage afresh," he said.