UGC chairman welcomes move to set up branch campuses in India, US, says critical for NEP

NEW DELHI: University Grants Commission (UGC) chairman Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar has welcomed the move to establish a joint task force to assist global universities in setting up branch campuses in India and US.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on a four-day State Visit to the US to deepen the strategic partnership between Indian and American universities and strengthen bilateral ties.

“Enhancing research collaborations and two-way academic exchanges between India and US under India's National Education Policy (NEP) is critical. Partnership in emerging areas of science and technology between the world's two greatest democracies will benefit economic growth and open opportunities for conceiving innovative technological solutions to our countries' challenges,” the UGC chief said.

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He said that the meeting between PM Narendra Modi and the academic leaders in the US will give them a “clear picture of India’ aspirations and potential and help accelerate the collaboration process in the higher education sector”.

He further welcomed the move to establish a joint task force with stakeholders from the US and India to designate dedicated offices within their diplomatic outposts to assist global universities in setting up branch campuses in India and USA.

The UGC chairman said many US universities delegations have expressed their desire to deepen collaboration with India in the higher education sector.

“With the foreign university campus regulations being given the final touches by UGC for the announcement soon, we look forward to working with the liaison office of the diplomatic outposts to facilitate establishing foreign university campuses in India. These are exciting times for higher education,” Jagadesh Kumar added.