UGC Draft: What are the rules for opening campuses of foreign universities in the country and why are they being opposed?

Recently, protests have started against the new draft rules made by the University Grants Commission (UGC) for the establishment of foreign universities in India. Once these rules come into force, foreign universities will be allowed to set up their campuses in India and admit Indian students and international students. The UGC has currently sought comments from stakeholders on these rules.

According to the draft rules, foreign universities setting up campuses in India will have the freedom to design their admission process. However, these universities will not be allowed to conduct online classes.

Opposition to the draft rules prepared by the UGC has started. What are the draft rules for setting up foreign universities in India? Why are these rules being opposed? What will be the conditions for foreign universities to set up a campus in India? How will admission and fees be decided in these? Who will recruit the faculty? What are the rules for foreign universities to follow? What will happen to the students if the university is closed midway? Who will take action on a violation of the rules? Let's know the answers to these questions...

What are the draft rules for setting up foreign universities in India?

Recently, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced new draft rules for the establishment of foreign universities in India. According to these rules, foreign universities opening branches in India will be permitted under UGC norms. They have to follow the norms of the University Grants Commission just like Indian universities. Foreign universities will have to conduct offline classes in India only. With this, foreign universities setting up campuses in India will have the freedom to design their admission process.

Why are these rules being opposed?

With the announcement of the draft rules, opposition to them has also started. The Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) has strongly objected to the recent UGC rules. The union said that this step of the UGC is a threat to Indian democracy. Foreign universities will provide such education which will become unaffordable for the majority population of India which is a threat to the Indian education system.

At the same time, Academics for Action and Development Delhi Teachers Association (AADTA) said in a statement that UGC has opened the doors to international institutions for the benefit of coaching institutes instead of students. Social justice concerns have been completely ignored.

The Democratic Teachers Federation (DTF) claimed that the move should be opposed because the inevitable next step of any such policy would be to allow huge profits to be made in higher education.

What will be the conditions for foreign universities to open a campus in India?

The University Grants Commission, UGC has prepared draft rules for foreign universities to open campuses in India. These rules will become final after taking suggestions from the stakeholders. According to these rules, foreign universities will need the approval of the University Grants Commission to set up campuses in India. The initial approval will be for 10 years. Foreign universities having campuses in the country can offer full-time programs only in physical mode and not online or distance learning.

Universities that want to set up their campuses in India must be in the top 500 of the overall or subject-wise global rankings. Universities that have secured subject-wise rankings will be permitted to offer similar subjects on their Indian campuses. This means that universities such as Yale, Stanford, and Harvard in the US and British institutions such as the University of Cambridge, and Oxford King's College can set up campuses in India, allowing Indian students to pursue top-notch education without having to go abroad.

How will admission and fees be decided in these?

Institutions visiting India will have the autonomy to develop their admission process and criteria for admitting domestic and foreign students, according to the draft rules. All these universities will have provisions for a need-based scholarship. As per the released details, the Government of India will not give scholarships to the students taking admission to such institutes.

In the case of faculty, these institutions will have the autonomy to recruit faculty and staff from India and abroad as per their recruitment norms. It may decide the qualifications, salary structure, and other conditions of service for the appointment of faculty and staff. However, they will ensure that the merit of the faculty appointed will be at par with the main campus in the country of origin. It will ensure that foreign faculty appointed to teach on the Indian campus remains on the campus in India for a reasonable period.

What are the rules for foreign universities to follow?

These rules clearly state that foreign higher educational institutions will not introduce any curriculum that endangers India's national interest or the standards of higher education in India. These institutions have to operate the premises without regard to the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the country, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency, or morality.

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