Question : CAMPUSES BY FOREIGN UNIVERSITIES

(a) whether the Government proposes to move higher education sector out of `not for-profit` category and allow foreign universities to set up campuses in India including repatriation of profits by these universities;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor including the benefits likely to accrue to the country as a result thereof;

(c) the details of foreign universities which have opened their research centres in India;

(d) the current status of the proposal including the action taken/being taken by the Government in this regard; and

(e) the time by which a final decision is likely to be taken in the matter?

MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (E) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 579 FOR 6.5.2015 ASKED BY SHRI PR. SENTHIL NATHAN AND SHRI P. NAGARAJAN, HON’BLE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT REGARDING CAMPUSES BY FOREIGN UNIVERSITIES

(a) & (b): No, Madam. As per the current national policy as well as various judicial pronouncements, education in India is a ‘not-for-profit’ activity. The Government has allowed Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100% under automatic route in the education sector subject to applicable laws / sectoral rules / regulation / security conditions. Hence while universities and insti- tutions of higher education cannot make profit, they may generate a reasonable surplus which is to be ploughed back in the institution to be used for its growth and development.

(c): Neither the University Grants Commission (UGC) nor the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) have permitted any foreign educational insti- tution to set up a campus in India.

However, the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) has undertaken a study on “Foreign Education Providers in India” and published its finding in 2012. As per the study, in 2010 there were 635 Foreign Education Providers (FEP) operating in India under different modes. These are
(i) from their respective home campuses (440),
(ii) in India with their own campuses (04),
(iii) under programmatic collaboration (60),
(iv) under twinning programme (54) and
(v) under arrangements other than twinning / programmatic collaboration (77).

(d) & (e): At present there is no law which allows the entry and operation of foreign educational institutions in India.

However, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has notified the UGC (Promo- tion and Maintenance of Standards of Academic Collaboration between Indian and Foreign Educational Institutions) Regulations 2012, which spell out the modalities regarding the eligibility criteria and the conditions for the collaboration of a foreign educational institution with an Indian educational institution. AICTE has also issued Regulations for Entry and Operation of Foreign Universities/Institutions imparting Technical Education in India to facilitate collaboration and partnerships between Indian and Foreign Univer- sities/Institutions in the field of technical education, research and training.