Indian universities want a level playing field if foreign universities are permitted to open campuses in India.
A day after the foreign universities Bill was passed by the Union Cabinet, Indian universities said that the provisions applicable to foreign universities should be the same as that for the Indian universities.
Best policy
“We have always believed that the best public policy for improving educational institutions is to enable and encourage competition. The introduction of this Bill allowing FDI into India seems to be a step in the right direction. I am not aware of the details of the Bill, but would hope that the provisions applicable to foreign universities are also extended to Indian Institutions of high calibre, and that we have a level, competitive, growth-oriented playing field,” said Mr Ajit Rangnekar, Dean, Indian School of Business, Hyderabad.
The clearance of the Foreign Educational Institution (Regulation of Entry and Operation) Bill 2010 by the Union Cabinet paves the way for the Bill to be introduced in Parliament. A slew of foreign universities are likely to be interested including the likes of Harvard, Imperial College in London amongst others.
But while foreign universities are likely to set up campuses in India, there is no clarity on the kind of degrees they would offer. Indian Institute of Management-Lucknow's Director, Dr Devi Singh said the degrees offered by foreign universities in India should be the same as that they offer in their own country.
“It is important that the foreign institutions entering India offer the same degrees and diplomas that they are offering back home. This will help ensure that the certification provided by them in India will have the same value internationally as their current qualification,” said Dr Devi Singh, Director, Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow.
Yale University though ruled out plans of opening a campus in India and said it will continue to focus on the existing partnerships in India. “From Yale's standpoint, the passage of the Bill does not change our focus on research collaborations and student exchange programmes that we have at present. We have no plans to open a campus or offer degrees. But the Bill would enhance the cooperation with Indian universities we already have,” said Mr George Joseph, Assistant Secretary, Yale University.
Tough conditions
The Bill sets tough conditions for foreign universities looking to set up campuses in India. Aspiring universities will have to deposit Rs 50 crore as corpus fund and cannot take back the surplus generated from education activities in India. Each institute will have to be registered with the University Grants Commission or any regulatory body in place at the time of registration.
The Bill also has a provision under which the government can reject an application of a university if it feels that the venture will have an adverse impact on national security.
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