British High Commission New Delhi

September 2013

Summary

There are plans to allow foreign universities to set up campuses and award degrees in India. This is a positive signal, which could eventually offer big opportunities for UK institutions. But there are conditions.

Detail

Pallam Raju, Minister of Human Resource Development, has said he intends to allow foreign universities to set up campuses in India and award foreign degrees, without a local partner.  He plans to do this by administrative measures (the universities would register as companies under the current Companies Act) rather than by passing new legislation (a bill to allow foreign universities to establish themselves here has been in parliament for several years).

There are conditions. Foreign universities would have to rank among the world’s top 400; have existed for at least 20 years; operate on a not-for-profit basis; offer programmes of quality comparable to those at their home campuses; register with the University Grants Commission, who will regulate the new arrangements; and deposit a 250m rupee bond (£2.5 million) as surety against any violation of the rules.  A final decision is still awaited.

Several of the top-ranking universities, including Cambridge, have already said they will not open campuses here. Others will want to examine the conditions.  The Education Ministry nevertheless say that 20 foreign universities – mostly from the US – have already expressed their desire to come.

Many foreign universities have already found other ways into this huge market, however.  There are already over 600 foreign education providers in India, of which 440 do so from their home campuses while nearly 200 are involved in some sort of twinning arrangement. Some – such as Lancaster and De Montfort – already offer UK courses hosted by an Indian partner. Many other UK universities are deepening their links with Indian counterparts through research collaborations and exchange of faculty and students. Cambridge already has over 300 partnerships of different kinds in India. The UK online offering is growing.

Comment

The move, if approved, will send a positive signal about India’s long term intentions. India aspires to create over 1500 new universities and 40 million new university places by 2020, which won’t be possible without considerable foreign and private support. There are many potential rewards from setting up campuses here, but making a quick return will not be one of them. Our advice to UK universities interested in setting up here is to come and do their homework, build local relationships, and be prepared for a long haul.

Disclaimer

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