UGC received application from Malaysian university for campus in Telangana: Govt

NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has received an application from Lincoln University College, Malaysia for setting up a campus in Telangana, minister of state for education Subhas Sarkar said in a reply to the Parliament.

The MoS was replying to questions asked by nine Lok Sabha members regarding the applications received by the government from foreign universities to establish campuses in India, names of universities, proposed location for campus, details of action taken and criteria for opening of such campuses, among others.

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Sarkar informed that UGC notified the ‘Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India Regulations 2023’ last year to facilitate the entry of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (FHEIs) in India to enable Indian students to obtain foreign qualifications at affordable cost and making India a global study destination. The guidelines outline the eligibility criteria and procedure for setting up of foreign campuses in the country.

“After the notification of these Regulations, the UGC has opened the portal for inviting applications for setting up campuses of FHEIs in India. An application has been received from Lincoln University College, Malaysia for setting up a Campus in Telangana,” the minister said.

UGC foreign university campus guidelines

The UGC foreign university campus regulations also say that the foreign institutions may provide full or partial merit-based or need-based scholarships and give tuition fee concessions to Indian students. “Safeguards against misappropriation of philanthropic resources, noncompliance with internal and external standards for philanthropic operations, have also been incorporated in these Regulations. These regulations stipulate compliance with the provisions of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 for FHEIs to receive or utilize donations from any foreign sources,” Sarkar said in his reply.

Subhas Sarkar further informed it was announced in the Union Budget 2022 that "world-class" foreign universities and institutions will be allowed to offer courses in financial management, FinTech, science, technology, engineering and mathematics in the Gujarat International Finance Tech-City (GIFT City), free from domestic regulations except those by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA).

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Foreign universities can set up their branch campuses in the GIFT City as per the criteria and standards laid down in the IFSCA (Setting up and Operation of International Branch Campuses and Offshore Education Centres) Regulations, 2022. On these lines, Deakin University and University of Wollongong from Australia received approval from IFSCA to establish their campus in GIFT City, he added.