NHEP norms likely to put Indian, foreign varsity pacts under lens in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Foreign universities allowing their campuses to be used to run anti-Indian campaigns will have a tough time entering into Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with their counterparts in India. Courtesy, the New Higher Education Policy (NHEP) is likely to introduce new provisions giving total freedom to the universities to allow foreign students, NRIs, POIs, offering scholarships, work permits etcetera. Similarly, the Indian universities and Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) can also enter into collaborative research and engage the foreign faculty. The issue of granting permissions to the foreign nationals interested in settling in India after completing their studies by taking jobs is also under consideration.

Speaking to The Hans India, a senior official from the Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE) said there are no specific guidelines for regulating the Indian universities and other HEIs to enter into MoUs with the foreign universities.

Following this, the Indian varsities, HEIs, colleges, deemed and private universities in the country are entering into agreements with foreign higher education entities. Some institutions have also forged ties to conduct collaborative research.

But, "of late, it was found that certain universities in UK, USA and few other European countries are allowing their campuses used to host anti-Indian protests. In some cases, students and faculty of these universities are found taking part in the on-campus and off-campus anti-India protests on regular basis," said sources in the UGC. That apart, people working in Indian and foreign varsities and part of the academic coteries are found holding organised protests, attempts to paint a poor picture about India and giving orchestrated reactions on issues taking place on Indian campuses.

It was against this backdrop, the NHEP while giving full autonomy and academic freedom to the Indian varsities will also likely to have provisions to regulate or bar entering into MoUs with the foreign entities or HEIs, the sources added.

When contacted the TSCHE Chairman Prof T Papi Reddy, he said that currently the universities, including the TSCHE and councils, have the freedom to enter into pacts with any foreign universities. However, regulation of MoUs, scholarships to the foreign students and other subjects are likely to be made part of the NHEP.