UGC asks HEIs to appoint compliance officers to coordinate with FROs for foreign students admission

NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission has asked all educational institutions to appoint compliance officers to be contacted by Foreigners Regional Registration Offices (FRROs) / Foreigners Registration Offices (FROs), while processing service applications of foreign students.

The announcement comes in the wake of large inflow of foreign students coming to India for education and due to nonavailability of a designated person in institutions.

The commission also stated that the non-availability of a designated person has led to unnecessary delays, difficulties and unintentional violations of visa norms by the foreigners, which is leading to undue harassment of foreign students.

Addressing all vice-chancellors, the UGC said, “All the higher educational institutions are requested to appoint compliance officers to coordinate with FRROs/ FROs for ascertaining facts in respect of foreign students during grant of various services like visa registration, visa extension, exit permit etc. along with their attendance, academic performance and other academic records.”

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It further requested the universities to inform all affiliated colleges about the appointment of compliance officers.

Earlier in October, the UGC said all higher educational institutions across the country will be allowed to create up to 25% supernumerary seats for foreign students and will have to adopt a transparent admission process for them.