BIG NEWS: New Regulations by Gujarat GIFT City welcome Foreign Universities to open their Campus in India
Is the wait over ??
Maybe YES. ?
Finally, we have the news many of you have been waiting for ! ?
Before we amaze you with the Newest Developments, we thank you for coming up with so many queries on our earlier blog on GIFT City. That blog was solely dedicated to present the Possible Challenges & Benefits for Foreign Universities interested to set up their branch in GIFT IFSC Center.?
And to your surprise, Eduprogress Team has been continuously receiving queries from numerous Higher Education Institutes from India and abroad for establishing their international campus or centers in GIFT City of Gujarat. ?
So, let’s get straight on to crux of the matter and address the whole of it point by point. ?
This article is a must read for stakeholders serving on the board of Universities and Colleges in India and other countries. Somewhere this will also help those aspirants who desire to pursue Higher Education from Foreign Universities that score high on all Global Rankings. ?
New Regulations by GIFT IFSC Authority for Foreign Universities & Institutes?
As soon as our team received the New Regulations shared by GIFT City authorities, we got quick and dissected all the points. We bet this will be the easiest way for you to understand these regulations. ?
So, here’s a smooth sequence of regulations discussed in this article:?
1.???Objectives?
2.???Subject Areas?
3.???Kind of Programs to be offered?
4.???Definitions to Get Started?
5.???Eligibility Criteria for Foreign Institutes?
6.???What the Application must have??
7.???Course Recognition & Affiliation?
8.???Let’s talk about N-U-M-B-E-R-S?
9.???Inspection of Institutes?
10. Safeguarding Student’s Interest?
11. In case of Default?
12. Objections & Amendments ?
The desire to attain World Class Education right here in India was once a dream for many students who had no other option than to move abroad for pursuing courses of international repute. ?
But now things are going to change for the good.?
COMING SOON: India’s First Global Education Hub in Gujarat GIFT City?
This maybe the most outrageous bet to develop India’s First World Class Education Hub right here in GIFT City of Gujarat. A hub that will eventually become so popular that people will seriously consider it while sifting through the brochures of Ivy Leagues and other Institutes desired by anyone in the world. ?
But with these regulations, GIFT IFSCA has made it a very fair and transparent level playing field for Foreign Universities and Institutes interested in becoming a part of Indian Growth Story.?
(*GIFT IFSCA = Gujarat International Finance Tec-City International Financial Services Centre Authority) ?
Excited to know more? Come let’s decode them.
1.?Objectives ?
Of course, the first questions that pop up on everyone’s mind:?
Why do we need Foreign Universities right here in India? And what are the motives behind inviting them? ?
Hmm. Nice questions though. Here are the objectives-?
(a)?Branches of Foreign Universities: Now the Foreign Universities can come up with their International Branch Campuses in GIFT City (GIFT IFSC). These campuses can either be ‘Stand-alone Campus’ or can even take other forms as permitted by the authority.?
(b)?Offshore Centre of FEI: Even a Foreign Educational Institution (FEI) can also come up to establish an Offshore Educational Centre in the GIFT IFSC. (This FEI can be other than a Foreign University.)?
(c)?For Indian & Foreign Students: The IFSCA wants to fulfill the objective of transforming GIFT IFSC into an International Education Centre. A center that caters to both Indian and Foreign students who aspire to pursue courses in specified disciplines. ?
(d) What they wish to encourage?
The authority is making all out efforts to encourage-?
(e)?Transparent Registration Process: For Foreign Universities and FEIs that wish to offer courses including Research Programs in the Permissible Subject Areas and Executive education Programs that are accredited in their respective home jurisdiction and duly recognized by the authority for being offered in the GIFT IFSC. ?
But wait a second. ?
What are the Subject Areas that will be taught under the courses to be offered by these Foreign Institutes in GIFT City? ?
Umm. Come let’s take a quick glance over them.
2.?Permissible Subject Areas?
These courses including Research Programs shall be permitted in GIFT IFSC:?
3.?Programmes to be Offered?
If we go by the recent developments, then you can soon expect these courses to go live:
4.?Definitions to Get Started
Now this one’s very interesting.
If you belong to the board of a Foreign University, then these 6 definitions will help you gain immense clarity in assessing your application.
Come let’s check them out.
(i)???????????FOREIGN UNIVERSITY (FU): It shall mean a University established outside India which is duly accredited to award degree for courses including Research Programs in the permissible subject areas, within and outside its home jurisdiction. ?
(ii)?????????FOREIGN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION (FEI): This shall mean an educational institute outside India, which is not a University, and is duly authorized to offer courses including Research Programs in the permissible subject areas, within and outside its home jurisdiction. ?
(iii)????????INTERNATIONAL BRANCH CAMPUS: IBC shall mean a campus set up as a branch by a Foreign University. This branch can be on stand-alone basis, or in such other form as may be permitted by the Authority in the GIFT IFSC for the purpose of delivering courses including research programs in the permissible subject areas, that are duly accredited under the relevant framework in their respective home jurisdiction, and is registered with the Authority. ?
(iv)????????OFFSHORE EDUCATION CENTRE: OEC shall mean a center set up as a branch by a Foreign Educational Institution (other than a Foreign University) in the GIFT IFSC for the purpose of delivering courses including research programs in the permissible subject areas, that are duly accredited under the relevant framework in their respective home jurisdiction, and is registered with the Authority. ?
(v)?????????PARENT ENTITY: Parent Entity or Applicant shall mean the Foreign University or a Foreign Educational Institution that intends to establish and operate an IBC or OEC, as the case may be, in the GIFT IFSC. ?
(vi)????????QS WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS: This refers to the annual publication of University Rankings by QS Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd. and for the purpose of these regulations, only the University’s ‘global overall ranking’ and/or ‘subject rankings’ shall be considered.
Definitions are all good. But what about eligibility criteria?
5.?Eligibility Criteria for Foreign Institutes
These shall make it even easier for the Foreign Institutes interested in opening a branch at GIFT City.
(a)?For a Foreign University: It should have secured a position within Top 500 in Global overall rankings and/or Subject ranking in the latest QS World Universities Ranking. ?
(b)?For an FEI: The applicant should be a reputed Institution in its home jurisdiction. ?
(c)?Financial Capability: The Applicant shall satisfy the Authority about its Financial Capability and ensure the continuity of the proposed activities in GIFT IFSC.?
(d)?Undertaking for Infrastructure: The Applicant shall undertake to put in place suitable Infrastructure and facilities to conduct courses including Research Programs in the Permissible Subject Areas. ?
Okay so now when its all clear about eligibility criteria, an obvious question comes up: What all should be there in the Application? Come let’s see.
6.?What the Application must have
We discovered that GIFT IFSCA has placed special focus on these 5 items that are mandatory while submitting the Application:?
(i)???????????Resolution: Resolution passed by the Applicant’s Board of Trustees, Senate or other Governing Body, by whatever name called, resolving establishment of IBC or OEC.?
(ii)?????????Details: Details regarding:?
+ Infrastructural Facilities
+ Facilities available for instruction
领英推荐
+ Faculty
+ Prescribed fee
+ Academic Plan
+ Courses
+ Curricula
+ Requisite funds to operate for a minimum period of 5 years, along with other relevant details as may be specified. ?
(iii)????????Alternative Arrangements: Details for alternative arrangements for students in the event of discontinuation of the course or program for any reason.?
(iv)???????Recognition of Programs: An undertaking by the Applicant declaring that the degrees, diplomas or certificates issued to the students in the GIFT IFSC shall be recognized in the home jurisdiction of the Parent Entity and shall be treated equivalent to the corresponding degrees, diplomas or certificates awarded or issued, as the case may be, by the Parent Entity in its home jurisdiction. ?
(v)?????????QA Audit Report: The latest Quality Assurance Audit report from a recognized Quality Assurance Agency in the home jurisdiction of the Applicant.?
So far so good. But let’s also think about Parents and Students. They always have this right to ask about Course Recognition. Why? Just because they’ll be spending their hard-earned money on these courses.
And it’s the right moment to reveal what are the regulations on Course Recognition.
7.?Course Recognition & Affiliation?
(a)?Identical to Home Jurisdiction: Any course or Program conducted by a Registered Entity in the GIFT IFSC shall be identical in all respects with the course or program conducted by the Parent Entity in its home jurisdiction and identical degree, diploma or certificate shall be conferred upon the students of the IBC or OEC directly by the Parent Entity in the same manner as it confers to its students for the same course or program in its home jurisdiction. ?
(b)?Modifications to be Intimated: The IBC or OEC may make modifications in the approved course curriculum or content with prior intimation to the Authority, if the same is necessitated due to the change effected in the course offered by the Parent Entity.?
(c)?Modifications in Course Curriculum: Any modification in the Course Curriculum or content vis-à-vis course offered by the Parent Entity in its home jurisdiction shall be carried out with prior approval of Academic Council, Syndicate or any other competent body, by whatsoever name called, of the Parent Entity and shall be brought up only after intimation to the Authority.?
(d)?Same Recognition & Status: The degree, diploma or Certificate issued with respect to courses or programs conducted in the GIFT IFSC shall enjoy the same recognition and status as if they were conducted by the Parent Entity in its Home Jurisdiction.
8.?Let’s talk about N-U-M-B-E-R-S
Until now we have already seen how these regulations have laid a pretty smooth guiding path for Foreign Universities and Institutes who are interested to set up their campus in GIFT City of Gujarat.
But what about Numbers that matter the most?
So here we bring you regulations regarding Accounts, Profits and Fees. ?
(i)???????????Deposit & Fees:
An IBC or OEC desirous of undertaking permissible activities shall pay to the Authority the following fees:?
(ii)?????????Accounts & Annual Report:
IBC or OEC shall submit an Annual Report giving details of the-
(iii)????????Profits Repatriation:
The Parent Entity shall be permitted to repatriate profit, if any, without any restriction. ?
And now comes the most important Regulation.
9.?Inspection of Institutes in GIFT City?
So, now its very clear that GIFT Authorities have seriously paid attention to the suggestions shared by Foreign Universities and that’s how we know that Applicants are free from the regulations of NAAC, UGC or even AICTE.
But again, a very crucial question comes up- How will the IFSCA ensure that things are running fair inside the New Branches of these Foreign Institutes?
Here are the regulations regarding same:
(a)?Right to Inspect at all times: The IFSC Authority shall have the right to inspect at all times, including after the grant of in-principle approval and before the grant of registration, to ascertain the infrastructure, quality and suitability of the IBC or OEC. ?
(b)?Appointment of Inspecting Authority: For the purposes of the inspection, the Authority may appoint one or more persons as “Inspecting Authority” to undertake the inspection of the IBC or OEC.?
(c)?Authorized Professionals: The Inspecting Authority may take help of such persons or professionals as he may deem fit and it shall be the duty of IBC or OEC to extend full co-operation to the Inspecting Authority or the authorized persons. ?
Now its time to consider other point of view. Although that’s a very distant possibility, but we must appreciate that GIFT IFSC has laid out regulations for that too- What happens to students in case of discontinuation of a course or Program?
The next point makes it all clear.
10.?Safeguarding Student Interests
Foreign Universities and Institutes shall have to comply with the following regulations:
(i)???????????Prior Approval Mandatory: No IBC or OEC shall wholly or partially discontinue, suspend or close any of its approved courses or Programs in the Permissible Subject Areas for any reason without the prior written approval of the IFSC Authority. ?
(ii)?????????Alternative Mechanism by Parent Entity: In the eventuality of disruption or discontinuation of a course or Program for any reason, it shall be the responsibility of the Parent Entity to provide an Alternative to the affected students, including reallocation to the course or Program conducted by it. ?
Let’s be honest and admit that India has seen a lot of New Engineering & Management Institutes setting up their campus and then eventually they disappear when found violating the rules and regulations. ?
So, is there a solution proposed by IFSC?
Yes, there is a regulation for that too-
11.??Action in case of Default
Violation of the regulations may attract appropriate enforcement action including Suspension, Cancellation of Registration and/or imposition of penalty by the Authority. ?
All said and done, what if Foreign Universities & Institutes express their objections or wish to keep their perspective on these regulations? Is there any mechanism?
Oh yes! The GIFT IFSC Authority is open to-?
12.?Objections & Amendments ?
(a)?In order to remove any difficulty in the Application or interpretations of the provisions of these regulations, the Authority may issue clarifications through guidance notes or circulars. ?
(b)?On an application received along with non-refundable processing fees mentioned in these regulations, the Authority may for the reasons to be recorded in writing, relax the strict enforcement of any of the provisions of these regulations. ?
Here comes the Final Question-
“What if the Applicant satisfies the Eligibility Conditions?”
If an applicant satisfies the conditions, then they shall have to apply to the Authority, in the specified format, for the grant of registration to conduct the courses including Research Programs or/and executive education programs in the Permissible Subject Areas.
These regulations shall be applicable to an:
So that’s it ?
Well all we can say is.. This is just the start of a New Chapter for India’s Education Ecosystem.
GIFT IFSC Authority has provided a level playing field to Foreign Universities and Institutes that are excited to set up their branch in Gujarat’s GIFT City.
And we can expect many more developments in the coming days.
Team Eduprogress is all in to pick all those updates and get them to you as quickly as possible.
If you also feel you need help in establishing your Branch Campus in Gujarat GIFT City or if you wish to gain more insights on how we can support your Institute, then please feel comfortable to write us on:?
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