India opens doors to foreign universities
The Centre on Monday approved a legislation to allow foreign education providers set up campuses in India and offer degrees. The ‘Foreign Educational Institution (Regulation of Entry & Operation) Bill, 2010’, was cleared by the Union Cabinet presided by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. This paves way for its introduction in Parliament.
“This is a milestone which will enhance choices, increase competition and benchmark quality,” HRD Minister Kapil Sibal said after the approval of the Bill by the Cabinet. The Bill seeks to regulate the entry and operation of foreign institutions, which will set up centre and offer degrees in India.
This Bill was hanging fire for over the past four years owing to opposition from various quarters, including the Left parties, over certain provisions. Last year, it was referred to a Committee of Secretaries which brought modifications to certain provisions earlier existed.
The Bill was approved by the Cabinet without any changes. The proposed law prescribes eight-month time bound format for granting approval to foreign educational institutions to set up campuses. They will have to go through different levels of registration process during this period and will have to register with UGC or any other regulatory body.
The regulatory body in higher education, either UGC or any other body that would replace UGC, will scrutinise the proposals of aspiring institution as per India’s priorities and advice government whether to allow the institute operate in the country. Sibal has already said that quota laws will not be applicable to foreign universities eyeing campuses in India.
Though 100 per cent foreign direct investment through automatic route is permitted in the education sector since 2000, the present legal structure in India does not allow granting of degrees by foreign educational institutions here. The proposed law would facilitate globally-renowned institutes to participate in India’s higher education sector.
Related posts:
- Universities in Gujarat to switch to credit system by next year!
- GU to introduce semester system in PG courses!
- 16 new colleges qualify for Gujarat University affiliation
- Gujarat has potential to be gateway for medical tourism in India
- IIM-Ahmedabad draws students from across world
April 8th, 2010 at 10:36 AM
Hi,
Are we capable enough of welcoming the Foreign Educational if so,then then a lot question in every one minds.
1) As Indian social stucture is divided into
a) Higher class–> No issue they wecloms Foreign Educational .
b) Middle class–> what would be the fee structure which should be fixed with their limit.
c) Lower class–>It should be free to then at all levels.
2) what happens to state govt schools ? are they cable enough of withstanding this compettive structure.
3) There should be manditoy langauge ( state langauge).
4) If Mr.Minister says that we donot have teacher and So we are welcomeing Foreign Educational then I think he is making a biggest mistake like bhopal gas tragedy.