New Delhi/ Mumbai: The government has opened the doors for top foreign universities to set up campuses in the country and award degrees, giving Indian students the opportunity to study in global institutions without leaving home or spending a fortune in dollars.
Faced with delays in enacting a law to allow foreign universities to set up base in India, the human resource development ministry has decided to allow the top 400 institutions to enter via an executive order. It is working on regulations under the University Grants Commission Act to let foreign institutions begin operations without an Indian partner, which is currently a requirement.
A 2006 study by the Association of Indian Universities found that over 340 institutes in India were offering courses in collaboration with foreign educational institutes. The move has been lauded by industry leaders and many in the education sector. However, there are concerns that allowing only the top 400 institutions to set up campuses is too restrictive while others doubt if the world's top universities are waiting to rush in. "I do not expect the best universities to be here immediately," said NR Madhava Menon, founder-director of the National Law School, Bangalore.
The proposed UGC (Establishment & Operation of Campuses of Foreign Educational Institutions) Rules requires that foreign education providers set up the India campuses as not-for-profit companies, that is companies set up under Section 25 of the old Companies Act (Section 8 of the new one). The proposal has the support of the department of industrial policy & promotion (DIPP) and the department of economic affairs (DEA). "The ministry had sought comments and observations of DIPP and DEA on the rules. Both have supported the proposal," the HRD ministry spokesperson said.
The decision has cheered private institutions and industry leaders. "It is a wonderful move to allow reputed international universities to freely come to India, set up campuses and offer degrees. Our students will get exposure to best in-class global education and won't have to leave the country for that. It will offer competition to local universities and offer greater choice to students," said TV Mohandas Pai, chairman of Manipal Global Education, and former InfosysBSE -0.69 % director.
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