Single window clearance for foreign varsities, Govt cannot interfere in procedures including admission

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala government is set to uphold its new policy of welcoming foreign universities into the state. This move aims to bolster the higher education sector without relying on public funds, crucial for establishing Kerala as a prominent educational hub in the country.

Various disciplines such as engineering, medicine, law and management will be covered by these universities offering promising job prospects to talented individuals, potentially reducing the current trend of students pursuing studies abroad.

Each year, around 35,000 students from Kerala opt to study overseas, resulting in a significant outflow of funds in the form of tuition fees. The government aims to retain these funds within the state.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) will grant permission for operation while the state government will streamline the process by providing single-window clearance and offering concessions on taxes and utility charges.

However, the government will not interfere with admission procedures, fees, syllabi, examinations or result declarations. It plans to ensure reservation quotas in private universities which foreign universities typically lack.

The primary objective is to encourage immigration of students who typically seek higher education abroad, thereby addressing unemployment concerns and fostering economic growth.

To maintain parity, degrees conferred by foreign universities in India will be recognized internationally with teaching staff eligibility and salaries determined by the respective universities.

In the event of a campus closure, the university's system will remain intact with UGC serving as the appellate authority.

Annually, approximately ₹2.48 lakh crore is spent on fees for studying abroad.