UGC Brought Out New Rules for Collaboration among Indian and Foreign Institutes

On Wednesday, University Grants Commission (UGC) informed a set of regulations that will permit Indian institutes with having accreditation Grade B, to enter into association with foreign educational institutions. The decision was taken due to top grade foreign educational institutions showing diminutive or no interest in establishing campuses in India. 

The announcement was issued on the day the PM went to attend the UN general assembly in US. UGC's notification was much needed since more and more grade B accredited Indian institutes begun collaborating with foreign educational institutions.

UGC notification told, "At the time of agreement for collaboration, Indian educational institution shall have accreditation by National Assessment and Accreditation Council with a grade not less than B or its equivalent grade," the notification said. 

The policy and regulations are called the UGC (Promotion and Maintenance of Standards of Academic Collaborations between Indian and Foreign Educational Institutes) Regulations, 2012. 
This states that foreign institutions that shall enter into partnerships must be accredited with the top grade in their own country. At present, near about 50 foreign institutes are in effect in India through twinning arrangement. Twinning programmes brings an international degree along with exposure to campuses abroad.
The Indian educational institutions that already have collaborated have to comply with the announced new regulations within duration of next 6 months. Whereas, the foreign educational institutions shall have to put up with by the norms mentioned by the Indian government.

In addition, the notification released by UGC stated Indian institutes who shall team up with foreign institutes must have minimum experience of 5 five years of offering educational programmes at the degree level as well as post-graduate diplomas. If rules are violated, it could lead to termination of the MoU that occurred for collaboration, alongside even institute could be blacklisted.

Incidentally, Technical institutes will not fall under the purview of these set of UGC regulations. However, government institutes shall be excused from accreditation for the purpose of these regulations.

All Indian and Foreign institutes in collaboration or about to collaborate shall make the academic requirements and other details public on websites. No programme and research shall be on offer as this is against the national security.