- By Ritesh Kumar
- Thu, 09 Nov 2023 08:55 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Wednesday issued the guidelines governing the establishment and functioning of foreign universities' campuses in India. These regulations are designed to streamline the entry of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (FHEIs) into India, aligning with the recommendations outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP). Their primary objective is to bring an international dimension to the higher education landscape in India.
"These regulations aim to ensure that the education imparted in the (India) campus is at par with that of the main campus in the country of origin and that its operations comply with the applicable laws and regulations," UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar said.
According to the regulations, "Foreign institutions intending to establish campuses in India should have secured a position within the top 500 in the overall category of global rankings, as decided by the commission from time to time, or should have secured a position within the top 500 in the subject-wise category of global rankings and should possess outstanding expertise in a particular area, as decided by the commission from time to time."
If a Foreign Higher Educational Institution (FHEI) wishes to seek or make use of foreign funding, it must secure registration or prior authorisation under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, and adhere to the legal provisions specified in the FCRA, as stated by the UGC.
Within their Indian branches, foreign universities will be permitted to provide educational programs that lead to the granting of certificates, diplomas, degrees, research opportunities, and various other programs at the levels of undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, and post-doctoral studies.
"Foreign universities cannot open learning centres, study centres, or franchises that may act as representative offices of the parent entity to undertake promotional activities for their programmes in their home jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction outside India. They are required to seek prior approval from the commission before starting any new programme in their campus in India," the regulations said.
"No programmes can be offered in online or in Open and Distance Learning modes under these regulations. However, lectures in online mode not exceeding 10 per cent of the programme requirements are allowed," it added.
"Two or more than two universities can collaborate to set up campuses in India, provided each institution meets the eligibility criteria individually. Each foreign university can set up more than one campus in India. However, they shall make a separate application for each proposed campus to the commission," the regulations further added.
Foreign institutions are exempt from paying any recurring annual fees to the UGC, apart from the one-time application fee. They are expected to establish their campuses in India utilising their own infrastructure, land, physical assets, and human resources.
Foreign universities are permitted to offer full or partial merit-based and need-based scholarships, as well as fee discounts, to Indian students at their Indian campuses.
Foreign Higher Educational Institutions can admit students and collect fees in their campuses in India only after a notification has been issued by the UGC permitting them to commence their campus operations in India under these regulations. Campuses of foreign universities in India shall have autonomy to recruit faculty and staff as per their recruitment norms, it stated.
Foreign universities setting up campuses in India will be required to seek prior approval from the UGC before starting new courses, the regulations stated.
