Smriti Irani’s video message: ‘We have made studying abroad easier’

“We have seen a lot of students visiting foreign universities to get a reputed name on their CV. Now, students can get enrolled in Indian institutions and will be free to spend two semesters of their undergraduate course with a foreign institution that has a collaboration with the Indian one,” said Irani, adding.

The educational institutions here have to approach the UGC for permission to partner with foreign universities.

Click here to watch the video

According to previous rules, only institutes from abroad could seek permission from the UGC for academic collaborations where as Indian institutions could not.

However, no foreign institute ever approached the UGC for such tie-ups. In addition to this, there was no provision for students to study abroad for a few semesters.

The higher education regulator tweaked the rules on Wednesday to make only Indian universities and colleges eligible for permission.

Read: Varsities can apply to UGC for tie-ups with foreign institutes

Elaborating on the credit system and facilities made available to the students now, the minister said, “Besides fee, there are other expenditures such as travelling, food, books, et al. Therefore, a new credit system is being introduced for the first time in India to help minimize the cost of an engagement with a reputed foreign institution.”

Although the new regulations do not allow the collaborating partners to offer a joint degree, the certificate awarded by the Indian varsity at the end of the programme will bear the name and insignia of the foreign university the student visited. The transcripts carrying the credits earned in India and abroad will have to be signed jointly by both institutions.

For more news on education, click here