University Grants Commission's (UGC) Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar held a press conference earlier today. In this conference he mentioned that foreign universities which aim to set up their campuses in India will require the commission's nod to do the same. In the initial stage the approval will be granted for a period of 10 years.
In its draft regulations for 'Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India', UGC also informed that the foreign universities with campuses in the country will further only be permitted to grant full-time programmes in offline mode and not online or distance learning.
These universities will have the right and freedom to frame their own admission procedure and fee structure, he added. As far as the admission procedure is concerned Mr Kumar confirmed that the UGC will play no role in deciding the admission policy and the final admission granted to students will be decided by the universities themselves.
These universities will also have to make sure that the quality of education imparted to students at their Indian campuses is at par with their main campuses.
Throwing light on funds and funding, Mr Kumar also added that cross-border movement of funds will be done as per the Foreign Exchange Management Act.
“The universities, based on their evaluation process, can provide need-based, partial or full scholarships to students from their own funds, alumni donations or even tuition funds. This is an international practice where students who come from weak financial backgrounds are provided scholarships on the basis of evaluation,” Kumar told Edugraph.