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LATEST
NEWS |
16th
March 2010 / Times of India / Bangalore Edition
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 Foreign universities can now set up campuses in India
Will Shake Up Education Sector
Won’t Carry Yoke Of Reservation
New Delhi: India just took a big step for dramatically enhancing the profile of higher education. The Union cabinet on Monday cleared the Foreign Educational Institutions (Regulation of Entry and Operation) Bill, which aims to allow foreign universities to set up campuses in India.
The Bill, adopted without changes, is expected to be introduced in Parliament after the recess of the budget session. If cleared, this would be widening the definition of FDI in higher education and is expected to not only shake up the market but will also throw up exciting possibilities for top Indian teachers. HRD minister Kapil Sibal said the Bill would lead to a ‘larger revolution than even in the telecom sector’. While the Bill will be opposed by the Left, it shouldn’t face any serious obstacle in Parliament because the BJP is also in favour of the move.
Once the Bill is cleared, some of the top foreign universities are expected to set up campuses in India. The Atlanta-based Georgia Tech University has bought 250 acres in Hyderabad. Although Yale University is interested in having a presence in India, and welcomed the cabinet clearance, its assistant secretary George Joseph said there are no plans as of now to set up a campus here.
While the foreign universities will follow Indian laws, they will not have to give quota in admission to SC/ST/OBC students. The Bill treats them as private varsities, which are free of quota-based admissions. Foreign varsities will have freedom to fix fees and decide admission process.
World's Best At Your Doorstep?
No caste quotas in Indian campuses of foreign univs, will be free to set fees and decide admission process.
Foreign univs will have to deposit Rs 50cr as corpus fund to set up campus
Profits from educational activities can’t be taken out of India
Top Dollar For Teachers
Teachers in India's leading institutes will be in demand, likely to see surge in salaries.
At $1547 (2008 PPP), India has among lowest average salaries for academics, compared to Saudi Arabia's 6611, Canada's 6548 and US's 5816
Waiting in Wings
Ready to invest in India
- Imperial College (UK)
- Duke College (UK)
- Georgia Tech (US)
- Schulich School of Business (Canada) (York University)
Varsities can’t squirrel away profit, says govt
New Delhi: The Union cabinet on Monday cleared the Foreign Educational Institutions Bill, which aims at allowing foreign universities to set up campuses in India.
The Bill makes it mandatory for the foreign universities to publish prospectus. Also, the Bill disallows foreign educational providers from repatriating profit made from Indian campuses through education.
With foreign direct investment in higher education already allowed since 2002, the Bill stipulates that any foreign university interested in setting up a campus in India will have to deposit a corpus of Rs 50 crore with the body that will register them. The registering body will be the University Grants Commission.
The Bill promises time-bound registration to foreign universities, although they will have to go through a series of registrations at various levels. The registering body, after going through the application, will advise the government whether the foreign university should be allowed or not.
Asked what happens in case a foreign education provider sets up a campus in collaboration with private Indian university, an HRD ministry source said: “It is the foreign education provider who will have to come for the registration with details of collaboration.’’ Sibal was quick to welcome the cabinet approval. He said: “This is a milestone which will enhance choices, increase competition and benchmark quality. A larger revolution than even in the telecom sector awaits us.’’
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