Government for 100 percent FDI in higher education
Tuesday, 06 February 2007, 18:30 IST
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New Delhi: The Government backed 100 percent foreign direct investment (FDI) in higher education in India, saying that the same national rules will apply to foreign universities wishing to set up bases in the country and hinted that it could also include mandatory reservations for certain sections. Higher Education Secretary R.P. Agrawal hinted, while alluding to India's World Trade Organisation commitments made in 2003. The Group of Ministers (GoM), headed by Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh, will be mapping out the rules and regulations that will govern foreign universities setting up their campuses in India. The GoM will be submitting its recommendations soon. Although the government has supported 100 percent FDI, in practice stringent regulations would ensure that foreign universities collaborate with a local partner and only prestigious and well-known universities will be allowed in say sources. "They will be given national treatment. What applies to domestic institutions will apply to the foreign institutions," Agrawal said when he was asked whether reservation would apply to the foreign universities seeking to set up bases in the country. This is a broad hint from the government that foreign universities would also have to meet social obligations like mandatory quotas for deprived sections of society. A separate bill allowing leading foreign universities to set up base in India is also being considered.
Source: IANS
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