Foreign Educational Institutions Regulations 2013

Foreign Educational Institutions Regulations 2013

UGC notifies rules for collaboration between Indian, foreign institutes

University Grants Commission  notified a set of regulations that will allow Indian institutes with grade B accreditation to enter into collaboration with foreign educational institutions. 

Incidentally, the notification was published on the day the PM left for the US to attend the UN general assembly. UGC's notification was necessitated as more and more Indian institutes with B grade accreditation have started collaboration with foreign educational institutions.

The idea is to regulate such arrangements to protect the interest of students. We would not allow dilution of standards

Foreign institutions who enter into partnerships should be accredited with the highest grade in their homeland, the UGC notification said. 

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

Technical institutes will not come under the purview of the regulations while government institutes shall be exempted from accreditation for the purpose of these regulations. Currently, around 50 foreign institutes are operating in India through twinning arrangement. 

Twinning programmes not only promise an international degree but also exposure to foreign campuses. 

All institutes (Indian and foreign) involved in collaborations shall make public the academic requirements and other details of the programme on websites before commencement of the programme by Indian educational institutes concerned. No programme and research shall be offered which is against national security.