After 'Make In India', Modi Looks Forward To 'Educate In India'

BANGALORE: Under UPA’s governance BJP had shrugged off their plan for setting up foreign universities' campuses in India. However, Modi’s government has now changed its past stance on the Foreign Educational Institutions Bill. As the BJP completed one year of governance, the ruling party seems dedicated to revive the same bill and looks forward setting up campuses of foreign universities in India, reports ET.

The commerce ministry favored "internationalization" in Indian education. The party’s ‘Make in India’ initiative has a new dimension now and it would be called ‘Educated in India’. Reportedly the party shared strategies on the issue with ministries of human resource development and external affairs, and NITI Aayog in April.

The end of 15^th Lok Sabha had seen the lapse of this bill where the opposition had united to oppose the Foreign Educational Institutions Bill put forward by UPA. 

"There is a huge opportunity for foreign institutions to set up campuses in India. Foreign universities along with good quality Indian institutions will attract students and promote India as a hub in Asia for quality higher education and thus increase India's export of education services," says the proposal.

The first strategy paper meeting was held back in January and the event in April was a follow up of the same. "Global trade in higher education is a growing sector. We have a number of strengths including cost advantage and good number of English speaking professionals. Our geographical location makes India a viable destination for Asian students," said a government official familiar with the discussions. Currently the no laws have been drafted to permit universities abroad to set up their campuses in the nation.

The commerce ministry is keen to get the bill passed soon and is in talks with department of higher education under the HRD ministry. "The thrust of the present bill (UPA bill) appears to be regulation of malpractices rather than encouraging foreign universities," the proposal says.

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