Foreign universities will need UGC's nod to set up campuses in India

They will only be allowed to offer full-time programmes in physical mode and not online or distance learning

University Grants Commission's (UGC) Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar on Thursday said that foreign universities can set up their campuses in India but they will need the commissions's nod to set up before doing so. The initial approval will be for 10 years. 

In the draft regulations for 'Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India', UGC said that foreign varsities with campuses in the country will only be allowed to offer full-time programmes in physical mode and not online or distance learning.

These universities will have the freedom to devise their own admission process and fee structure, he added.

The foreign varsities will also have to ensure that the quality of education imparted at their Indian campuses is on par with their main campus.

On matters related to funds and funding, he said that cross-border movement of funds will be according to the Foreign Exchange Management Act.

The final norms be notified by the month's end after taking into account feedback from stakeholders, Kumar said, adding that the approval granted to foreign varsities will be renewed in the ninth year subject to meeting of certain conditions.

"The underlying theme and philosophy behind all these regulations are as reflected in the NEP. They are all aimed at allowing considerable autonomy to the higher education stakeholders but with due accountability and quality ensured. Therefore, they will be 'light but tight' regulations and I am confident it will bring positive and big changes in the higher education system," Kumar had told ET on Wednesday.

(With agency inputs)