Announcement of approval for private universities to be included in state budget

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The announcement of starting private universities in the state might be included in the budget. It will be completely private investment. Private medical and engineering colleges which are suffering loss can also apply. But it must have been working for at least 20 years.

A private university needs 100 acres of land in Tamil Nadu. As the cost of land is high, the provision of ten acres of land should also be included in the law. Ten acres is needed in Haryana.

Many notable groups including the Delhi Amity Group, an archdiocese, an education group in the Gulf and a medical university in Karnataka are interested in the scheme. Big groups like Reliance, Adani Group, Ashoka, Azim Premji have also expressed interest. They will provide scholarships to meritorious students using Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds.

The NOC will be granted to private universities only if they guarantee scholarship and reservation to SC/ST students. Fees will be fixed by the government for a certain percentage of seats. But some incentives will be given.

Private universities can start advanced courses with UGC approval. Syllabus, conduct of examination, declaration of result and awarding degree are the authority of universities.

There will be a provision in the Private Universities Act that there should be no actions contrary to the state policy. Government approval is required for policy decisions.

It has been decided not to allow new deemed universities. Rajagiri in Kochi and Mar Ivanios in Thiruvananthapuram had applied but the government did not allow it.

Even when the government spends crores on salaries and other expenses, the government and the Council of Higher Education will have no control over the deemed university. There will be no seat sharing with the government or fee concession for students.