UGC notifies regulations for Foreign Universities to set up Campuses in India
The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Wednesday notified the regulations for foreign universities to set up and operate their campuses in India.
The Regulations aim to facilitate the entry of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (FHEIs) into India, in line with the recommendations of the National Education Policy 2020, and to provide an international dimension to higher education in India.
These Regulations outline the conditions and requirements for Foreign Higher Educational Institutions to set up their campuses in India. These Regulations aim to ensure that the education imparted in the campus is at par with that of the main campus in the country of origin and that its operations comply with the applicable laws and Regulations.
Foreign Higher Educational Institutions can offer study programmes leading to the award of certificates, diplomas, degrees, research and other programmes at the undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral and post-doctoral levels
Eligibility criteria :
The Foreign Higher Educational Institution intending to establish campuses in India shall fulfil any of the following criteria at the time of application, that-
(a) it should have secured a position within the top five hundred in the overall category of global rankings at the time of application, as decided by the Commission from time to time; or
(b) it should have secured a position within the top five hundred in the subject-wise category of global rankings at the time of application or should possess outstanding expertise in a particular area, as decided by the Commission from time to time.
In the case of two or more than two Foreign Higher Educational Institutions intending to collaborate to establish campuses in India, each Foreign Higher Educational Institution should meet the eligibility criteria
Procedure for approval
(1) In case the Foreign Higher Educational Institution intends to set up more than one campus, it shall make a separate application to the Commission under the procedure laid down in these regulations.
(2) Upon fulfilment of the eligibility criteria, the Foreign Higher Educational Institution shall apply online to the Commission along with the non-refundable processing fee, as decided by the Commission from time to time.
(3) The Foreign Higher Educational Institution shall upload the following documents along with the application on the University Grants Commission portal, namely:-
(a) permission by the Governing Body or Board, by whatever name called, for establishing campuses in India;
(b) information on the proposed location, infrastructural facilities, fee structure, academic programmes, courses, curricula, availability of faculty and financial resources for setting up and operations of campuses in India, and any other details that may be sought;
(c) an undertaking to the effect that-
i. the quality of education imparted by it in its Indian campus is similar to that of the main campus in the country of origin; and
ii. the qualifications awarded to the students in the Indian campus shall enjoy the same recognition and status as if they were conducted in its home jurisdiction, that is, they shall be recognized in the country of origin of the Foreign Higher Educational Institution and shall be equivalent to the corresponding qualifications awarded by the Foreign Higher Educational Institution in the main campus located in the country of origin.
(d) the latest Accreditation or Quality Assurance report from a recognized Body; and
(e) any other document as specified in the application portal.
(4)The Commission shall constitute a Standing Committee to examine matters related to the setting up and operation of campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India.
(5) The Standing Committee shall assess each application on merit, including the credibility of the educational institutions, the programmes to be offered, their potential to strengthen educational opportunities in India, and the proposed academic infrastructure, and make recommendations thereof.
(6) In case the applicant is a Foreign Higher Educational Institution possessing outstanding expertise in a particular area, the Standing Committee shall consider its strengths, outstanding contribution, research capacities, institutional history, institutional prestige and influence, and professional recognition within the areas, among others.
(7) The recommendations of the Standing Committee shall be placed before the Commission within a period of sixty days from the date of receipt of the application, complete in all respects.
(8) Based on the recommendations of the Standing Committee, the Commission may within a period of sixty days, initially grant in-principle approval and issue a Letter of Intent to the Foreign Higher Educational Institution to set up campuses in India within two years from the date of approval.
(9) The Commission may reserve the right to give an extension, if required, on a case-to- case basis.
(10) The applicant Foreign Higher Educational Institution shall convey its readiness for the commencement of its academic operations to the Commission and the Standing Committee shall examine the readiness of the campus and give its recommendations.
(11) The Commission shall consider the recommendations of the Standing Committee and issue approval to the Foreign Higher Educational Institution, within a period of sixty days, for commencing the operation of a campus in India with or without conditions.
Application Portal to set up Campuses in India by Foreign Higher Educational Institutes (FHEIs) is live now.
Registration link for Eligible FHEIs to Register and apply : http://fhei.ugc.ac.in
