Only Best FHEIs will be permitted to establish their presence in India: UGC Chairman

“If FHEIs keep the tuition fee very high, they would not be able to attract many students. Our students are conscious of the quality of education and its affordability.”

The University Grants Commission last week announced the Draft Regulations for allowing foreign universities to set up campuses in India, thus paving way for foreign higher education institutions to set up campuses in India. However, this announcement has also raised concern among several sections of the academic community. They are concerned that the entry of foreign universities will commercialise higher education, downgrade the quality, there is a lack of clarity on fee and admission process and will be detrimental to domestic institutions and so on.

Every year half a million students from India go abroad for higher education and it is estimated that the number will reach close to two million in a few years, the Government of India is looking to provide the same high-quality international education by allowing foreign universities to set up campuses in India. 

UGC Chairman, Prof M. Jagadesh Kumar speaking exclusively with Shiksha.com discussed various concerns students, teachers and other stakeholders have around the Draft Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India Regulations, 2023.

Read the excerpts below:

Q. The UGC Draft Regulations allowing foreign universities to set up campuses in India has been released, however, there are doubts that the fee structure of these institutions will be high and not in the interest of Indian students. Will the fee structure for foreign universities be the same at their Indian campus as it is in their country? How will UGC ensure it is within reach of the average Indian student?

UGC Chairman: UGC does not interfere with the fee structure of any Indian University. The fee structure of each university is decided by its statutory bodies. NEP2020 has envisioned a legislative framework to facilitate the entry of foreign university campuses, and such universities will be given special dispensation regarding regulatory, governance, and content norms on par with other autonomous institutions of India.” UGC regulation, therefore, reflects this philosophy. UGC regulation also says that the fee structure should be transparent and reasonable.

If the FHEIs keep the tuition fee very high, they would not be able to attract many students. Since our students are conscious of the quality of education and its affordability, a self-regulatory situation will emerge. But to take care of the interests of those students who may not have the financial means to join these campuses, the regulation also says that based on an evaluation process, full or partial need-based scholarships may be provided by the FHEI from funds such as endowment funds, alum donations, tuition revenues, and other sources. Such partial or full scholarships to needy students are common in international universities.

Q. Many of the teachers' associations have objected to this regulation on the ground that it will commercialize the Indian education space and will further downgrade the quality of existing Indian Institutions. How will UGC ensure that Indian universities are not affected by it?

UGC Chairman: The presence of campuses of FHEIs in India will create healthy competition among the HEIs in India. Their presence will foster greater collaborative research activities between FHEIs and Indian universities, enriching the Indian education space.

Q. There are concerns that it will lead to the mushrooming of low-quality universities looting the students. What framework is UGC going to put in place to ensure students' interests are safeguarded?

UGC Chairman: UGC is very conscious of the quality of education imparted by these FHEIs. The eligibility criteria mention that they should be within the top 500 global university rankings. A standing committee of UGC will examine applications of the FHEIs, keeping in mind the credibility of the educational institution, the programmes to be offered, their potential to strengthen educational opportunities in India, and the proposed academic infrastructure, among others. Therefore, only the best FHEIs meeting the above goals will be permitted to establish their presence in India.

Some clauses mandate the FHEIs to ensure that the quality of education imparted by it in its Indian campus is at par with that of the main campus in the country of origin. The regulation also mentions that the FHEI shall not discontinue any course or programme or close the campus without the Commission’s prior approval and that in the case of a course or programme disruption or discontinuation, the parent entity shall be responsible for providing an alternative to the affected students.

Q. The idea behind this regulation is to check Indian students going abroad by providing the same education here. While Majority of the Indian students go abroad to get international exposure, internship and job opportunity upon completion of their education. Will the same be provided here?

UGC Chairman: In 2022, 4.5 lakhs went abroad for higher studies. Some estimates suggest that this number may increase to 18 lakhs next year. Students who plan to go abroad will continue to go for the experience and the opportunity to study and work in a different environment. However, many students may need help due to family or financial situations. It would be a good opportunity for students who want to stay in India but study at a foreign university.

Since the FHEIs have the autonomy to run their academic programmes under these regulations, the students in the Indian campus of an FHEI may have many different opportunities for enriching their educational experience, including travelling to the main campus of the FEHI.

Q. As per some of the teachers, there is complete Subjectivity and ambiguity in eligibility for the opening campus in India (Regulations point number 3.1 & 3.2). The loopholes are so wide they can easily be misused by substandard and fly-by-night operators to gain entry. How do you look at this concern?

UGC Chairman: The regulations are clear about who is eligible to come to India, and the selection process by the standing committee of UGC will also be rigorous to ensure that only the best FHEIs will operate in India. In addition, UGC has the right to inspect the campus and its operations at all times to ascertain the infrastructure, academic programmes, and overall quality and suitability.

Q. There are also concerns around Draft Regulations that in this there is no emphasis on research and innovation for foreign universities. Will UGC have some mechanism in place for foreign universities to bring attention to research or areas of social implications and less profit-making?

UGC Chairman: These regulations permit FHEIs to conduct undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, post-doctoral, and other programmes and award degrees, diplomas, and certificates in all disciplines. When they conduct doctoral and post-doctoral programmes on the Indian campus, that will emphasize research and innovation, just as is done in the main campus back home. Since the research output from the Indian campus will be part of the main campus research output, it will ultimately help the FHEI maintain or improve its global university rank position and reputation.

Read more:

• UGC formulates Draft Foreign University Regulations; Varsities not in top 500 Rankings eligible
• In next 10 years we want to see IIT Roorkee among top 100 Universities: Prof K K Pant