Rules ready before governor signs bill; private university to start this year?

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government is in a hurry to start private universities in Kerala this year. The rules have been prepared before the Governor signs the bill and it becomes an act. The 10-page rule is being prepared along with the application form, fee, and application procedure. It will be finalized within a week. Applications will be invited as soon as the law and rules are notified. Reliable agencies and managements with experience in the field of education can apply.

More than a dozen agencies are in the market to start private universities. Most of them are educational groups from other states. Currently functioning medical colleges are also being prepared to become universities. Multidisciplinary universities with various branches of study such as medical, engineering, law, pharmacy, and paramedical will be started. Trusts, agencies and groups with an investment of Rs 25 crore in the treasury and ten acres of land will be allowed to set up universities. Permission will be given as per the recommendation of the expert committee.

Groups from other states are trying to buy loss-making engineering and medical colleges and turn them into universities. Sub-campuses can be opened only after five years of operation. Currently, only the fees determined by the Justice K.K. Dinesan Committee can be charged in self-financing medical and engineering colleges. Once they become universities, they can charge as much fees as they want. The allotment on merit by the Entrance Commissioner will also be reduced. The fees for MBBS in medical universities in other states are 25 lakhs and more. The governing body will have two government representatives, including the Higher Education Secretary. The Governor is expected to give his assent to the bill soon.

More in northern districts

• Most of the private universities are coming up in northern districts. Kozhikode Markazu and Malappuram MES are in the pipeline.

• Kozhikode Jain Global University is being set up at a cost of Rs 350 crore. Nehru Group's university in Thrissur is being set up at a cost of Rs 500 crore.

• Punjab's Lovely Professional University, Thrissur diocese, and Adani Group, which has a university in Gujarat, are also in the pipeline.

• Malabar Group, which has medical colleges in Kozhikode and Palakkad, is also planning to set up a university.

40% seats will be reserved for students from Kerala