Foreign Educational Campuses in India are set to offer programs under these regulations. These programs will not be allowed in online mode. Furthermore, universities will have to conduct the courses in offline mode only, it said.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has notified the draft guidelines for establishing campuses of foreign higher educational institutions in the country. They invited suggestions and feedback from the public on the same, as per an official statement. The guidelines are in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The Guidelines on Internationalisation of Higher Education in 2021 have been notified. They included provisions such as setting up an Office for International Affairs in the universities. Additionally, an Alumni Connect Cell is to be set up, the commission said in an official release.
The authorities have prohibited universities from offering programmes under these regulations in online mode. They have mandated universities to conduct all such courses only in offline mode, the statement said.
NEP 2020 envisions that “India will facilitate top universities in the world to operate within the country.” To achieve this, the government will establish a legislative framework that enables such entry. Moreover, the government will grant these universities special provisions regarding regulatory, governance, and content norms. These provisions will be equal to those of other autonomous institutions in India, it added.
A regulatory framework allowing the entry of higher-ranked foreign universities will, therefore, provide an international dimension to higher education. Consequently, it will enable Indian students to obtain foreign qualifications at an affordable cost. As a result, this will make India an attractive global study destination, the UGC said.
Furthermore, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has named the guidelines ‘University Grants Commission (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations, 2023.’ These guidelines, accordingly, aim to facilitate the entry of foreign higher education into India, it said.
“These regulations shall regulate the entry and operations of Foreign Universities/Institutions in India. These regulations apply to conduct undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, post-doctoral, and other programs. They will award degrees, diplomas, and certificates in all disciplines,” the UGC said.
The UGC will not allow any Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (FHEIs) to set up campuses in the country without its approval.
The foreign educational institution should be within the top 500 of overall/subject-wise global rankings, as decided by the Commission. This should be in its home jurisdiction, it said.
The foreign institute must ensure that the quality of education it imparts at its Indian campus is at par with that of the main campus. Specifically, this main campus must be located in the country of origin, the release said.
Furthermore, the UGC stated that it will recognise and treat the qualifications awarded to students at the Indian campus as equivalent to the corresponding qualifications awarded by the Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (FHEIs). The main campuses in the countries of origin award these qualifications.
UGC invited all stakeholders to send their comments, suggestions, and feedback on the draft regulations to ugcforeigncollabration@gmail.com by January 18, 2023.
(Source: IANS)
