Jamshedpur, Nov. 11: From B-school to a deemed university. That?s XLRI?s vision.

If all goes well, the country?s premier management institute will expand its horizons by setting up colleges for running graduate and post-graduate courses.

Pursuing its long-term vision, XLRI has plans to set up non-technical colleges, especially in Jharkhand, which lags behind in higher education. This was one of the reasons for this B-school to apply to the University Grants Commission (UGC) earlier this year for deemed university status.

XLRI director Father N. Casimir Raj told The Telegraph that once the institute gets deemed-university status, it would initiate steps to set up non-technical colleges. The colleges will offer courses in three streams ? arts, science and commerce.

?There is no dearth of good schools in the state. But it lacks proper colleges for higher education. Keeping this in mind, we have decided to promote quality higher education, which is a part of our long-term vision,? said Father Raj.

According to him, the deemed-university status will also enable XLRI to introduce more professional courses and offer degree courses. At present, the B-school offers only diploma and certificate courses.

Father Raj said getting deemed university status would give impetus to the courses offered by the B-school. ?We have received requests from about 30 foreign companies and universities asking us to offer degree courses that have more prospects abroad. The value of the courses will increase once we start offering degree courses,? he said.

The XLRI director said UGC authorities were impressed by a recent presentation made by the B-school in New Delhi. ?UGC?s response towards the institute was good and we are hopeful of getting deemed university status soon. But, before getting that, we have to apply to the All-India Council for Technical Education for accreditation,? he said.

The B-school authorities said the courses in non-technical colleges would be self-financing. Neither the state nor the Union government will provide funds. The deemed-university status will also enable the management school to open its branches within the country and abroad, said officials.