The new rules give a free hand to foreign universities; An expert pointed out that this would not ensure a level playing field. The picture has been used for representational purposes only
Teachers in Tamil Nadu wonder whether the University Grants Commission Decision to open the country to foreign universities Setting up the campus will really help in improving the higher education capabilities of the country.
They point out that the country, which had not allowed for-profit educational institutions until now, is aiming to open the door to such institutions and could spell the end of state-funded universities.
Former Vice-Chancellor of Madras University P. Duraisamy finds many issues objectionable. He said that the earnings of a foreign institution can be repatriated to its home country and therein lies the issue of a fair fee structure. “There should be a level playing field. Whatever rules are applicable to Indian institutions should also be applicable to foreign institutions. The new rule allows a free play to the (foreign) institution and they are given more freedom which is not given to an Indian institution.For example, they can decide their own fees, admission criteria and have complete freedom in faculty appointments.
The rules also allow institutions that have not participated in the ranking system. Mr. Duraisamy wondered how the quality of an institution in a non-English speaking country would be assessed if it was not ranked by any educational organization.
The UGC had earlier allowed twinning and dual degree programs with foreign institutions but these were subject to the norms of the partner country. He said, “Education should not be for profit.”
Avinashilingam University Chancellor SP Thiagarajan, however, said the move would improve the quality of higher education and make it competitive. As there is a demand for higher education, foreign institutions cannot reduce the student base of state universities which heavily subsidize education, he said.
“Competition among layers of institutions will mean survival of the fittest and quality efficiency will improve overall,” he added. Also, a large pool of qualified teachers of the country, who have not got postings, can be benefited from the job opportunities. This may be a wake up call for the State Governments to build up the faculty strength. “It is paradoxical that the state government instead insists on higher grades in the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC),” said Professor Thiagarajan, who previously served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Madras.
However, the UGC should uphold the earlier version of the ruling, which asked money earned in India to be spent within the country.
L Jawahar Neeson, a member of the state education policy panel, expressed concern that foreign institutions could earn higher dividends than India or its students. He said that the countries which have made such agreements [with foreign universities] Despite the presence of these universities since many decades, the existence has not brought any significant benefit. He said that these countries have not shown much progress in research. They feared that students from Tier-II institutions with less student base may come to India for shopping.
Arun Kumar, general secretary of the All India Federation of University and College Teachers’ Organisation, said this would only intensify blind competition among the country’s universities, which are “already reeling under faculty, staff, infrastructure, fund and budget crunch.”
Freedom to institutions, he said, “could prove disastrous for the poor, downtrodden and minorities (students).”