The genesis of this initiative traces back to December 2023 when the UGC launched a dedicated portal inviting applications for setting up FHEI campuses in India.
The genesis of this initiative traces back to December 2023 when the UGC launched a dedicated portal inviting applications for setting up FHEI campuses in India.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has recently garnered attention by receiving an application from a prestigious private university in Malaysia seeking to establish a campus in Telangana, India.
This development – as the Union Ministry of Education revealed during a parliamentary session held on January 5, 2024 comes in the wake of the UGC’s initiative to invite applications for the establishment of campuses of foreign higher educational institutions (FHEIs) in the country.
Minister of State for Education, Subhas Sarkar, responded to inquiries from nine members of the Lok Sabha regarding the influx of applications from foreign universities seeking collaboration to expand their operations into India. In his statement, Sarkar confirmed, “An application has been received from Lincoln University College, Malaysia, expressing their intent to establish a campus in Telangana.”
The genesis of this initiative traces back to December 2023 when the UGC launched a dedicated portal inviting applications for setting up FHEI campuses in India. This move was propelled by the notification of the UGC (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of FHEIs in India) Regulations, 2023, which came into effect on November 7, 2023.
In response to concerns regarding the affordability of education at these FHEIs for Indian students, Minister Sarkar assured that provisions are in place to address this issue. He highlighted the possibility of these institutions offering full or partial merit-based or need-based scholarships, along with tuition fee concessions for Indian citizens.
Sarkar also emphasized that there will be safeguards to prevent the misappropriation of philanthropic resources and ensure compliance with internal and external standards for such philanthropic operations. Notably, these regulations mandate adherence to the provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, for FHEIs receiving or utilizing donations from foreign sources.
“Safeguards against misappropriation of philanthropic resources, noncompliance with internal and external standards for philanthropic operations, have also been incorporated in these Regulations. These regulations stipulate compliance with the provisions of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 for FHEIs to receive or utilize donations from any foreign sources,” he said.
Expanding the scope of educational opportunities, the government has extended permissions to foreign universities and institutions to operate within the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). These institutions will be able to offer courses in various domains, including financial management, fintech, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), exempt from domestic regulations, except those set by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA).
Sarkar also disclosed that Deakin University and the University of Wollongong from Australia have received in-principle approval from IFSCA to establish their campuses in GIFT City.
“Deakin University and University of Wollongong from Australia have received in principle approval from IFSCA to establish their campus in GIFT City,” he said.
