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UGC forms panel to firm up rules for India campuses of foreign varsities

The committee's formation is the first step in preparing the ground for opening up the higher education sector to foreign universities, a key proposal in the National Educational Policy (NEP) to “internationalise” the higher education sector.

Written By Sourav Roy Barman | New Delhi |

April 23, 2022 11:10:41 pm

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UGC chairperson Prof M Jagadesh Kumar. (File)

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has formed a five-member committee to prepare regulations to allow foreign higher education institutes, placed among the top 500 globally, to set up campuses in India, particularly in areas of science and technology.

The committee’s formation is the first step in preparing the ground for opening up the higher education sector to foreign universities, a key proposal in the National Educational Policy (NEP) to “internationalise” the higher education sector.

But the attempt to allow foreign education providers to start operations in India predates NEP.

The matter had reached an advanced stage under the UPA-II, with the government introducing the Foreign Education Institutions Bill in Parliament in 2010. The Bill lapsed in 2014 when BJP-led NDA came to power.

HomeEducationUGC forms panel to firm up rules for India campuses of foreign varsities

UGC forms panel to firm up rules for India campuses of foreign varsities

Written By Sourav Roy Barman | New Delhi |

April 23, 2022 11:10:41 pm

UGC chairperson Prof M Jagadesh Kumar. (File)

But the attempt to allow foreign education providers to start operations in India predates NEP.

While in Opposition, BJP, along with the Left and Samajwadi Party, had opposed the Bill, questioning the degree of autonomy it sought to give to foreign institutions setting up campuses in India. In 2015, the Narendra Modi government advised the HRD Ministry to consult with Niti Aayog, which was in favour of allowing foreign universities.

The UGC is leading the latest attempt to revive the proposal.

UGC chairperson Prof M Jagadesh Kumar told The Sunday Express that the committee, set up on April 11, is expected to submit its report by April-end. “The committee’s mandate is to frame draft regulations so that foreign universities can start functioning in India in tune with the NEP. It was given three weeks to prepare its report,” Kumar said.

Without giving out names of committee members, Kumar said it is being headed by a “top academic with a legal background”. The other members are also reputed academics, including from IITs.

Besides drafting a legal framework, Kumar said, the committee will attempt to frame broad outlines of institutional structures required to invite foreign universities to start operations in India. But he made it clear that the major thrust will be on research.

“The idea is to create an ecosystem to enable global educational institutions to set up campuses in India, particularly in emerging areas including Artificial Intelligence (AI), data sciences,” he said. “Attempts will be made to attract institutions in areas of science and technology. We would like them to grow into research institutes; it will help students in India to access world-class education.”

The UGC believes that if its efforts strike success, top educational institutions here will benefit through collaborations with their foreign counterparts. Earlier this week, the Commission had issued amended regulations to promote tie-ups between domestic and international institutes for offering dual-degrees, joint degrees and twinning programmes.