There is an ever-increasing enthusiasm in young Indians to explore the world. The phenomenon of going overseas for higher education is increasing, and it is further fueled by the higher-paying capacity of new-age parents.
UGC has also released, in November 2023, the regulations for foreign universities to start their campuses in India and offer the programs. It will enable Indian students to obtain foreign qualifications at affordable costs in India only.
Two Australian universities – Deakin University, and University of Wollongong have received approval for establishing their campus in Gujarat International Finance Tech (GIFT) City and they are set to start their programs from current Academic Year 2024. Recently, a third university – Lincoln University College of Malaysia has applied to UGC to set up their campus in Telangana.
For students whose family has lesser means the universities in India have been going for collaborations with overseas universities to offer Twinning, Joint Degree and Dual Degree programs.
In our cricket analogy, consider different kinds of matches like test matches, one-day matches, and T20s. Each type has its own rules. Similarly, in these university programs with foreign universities, there are different types:
- Twinning Programme: This is like a team partnership. You start playing some matches in India and then go play some in another country. But the final trophy, which is your degree, is given by your Indian university. Like in cricket, where you earn points in both home and away matches, you earn credits from both universities. But remember, only some of your credits (up to 30%) can come from a foreign university.
- Joint Degree Programme: It’s like playing a tournament co-hosted by two countries. You study in both Indian and foreign universities, and in the end, you get a degree that’s recognized by both! It’s a special kind of program where two universities work together to teach you.
- Dual Degree Programme: This is like getting a chance to play in two different tournaments at the same time and getting trophies from both! You study a course that’s made by both an Indian and a foreign university. When you finish, you get not one but two degrees – one from each university.
These programs are exciting ways to learn new things, meet new people, and have a unique experience. Just like cricket players enjoy different formats of the game, students can choose which type of program fits them best!
However, do you know how hard it is for new Indian universities to start working with universities in other countries? For universities in India to team up with foreign universities, they have to meet some rules set by UGC.
- Indian Universities’ Rules: Indian universities need to have a minimum “A” grade from NAAC, which is like a scorecard for how well they teach and help students. Or, they should be famous in India (like being in the top 100 of NIRF) or in the world (like being in the top 1000 in world university rankings). It’s like being a top-ranked cricket team to play in international matches.
- Foreign Universities’ Rules: Foreign universities also need to be really good, like being in the top 1000 of world university rankings. It ensures that students are learning from the best in the world.
But, for new universities in India, these rules can be tough. Imagine a new cricket team that’s just starting. They might be really good but haven’t played enough matches to get high rankings. These new universities have great ideas and teachers but might not have the high scores or rankings yet. So, it can be hard for them to start these exchange programs with foreign universities.
Well, there’s good news!! AICTE has set some new rules for how Indian universities can team up with universities from other countries. AICTE has added something special about student exchange programs in the latest Annual Process Handbook 2024. This means students from Indian universities can study part of their course or do internships at universities in different countries. It’s like opening a door to a whole new world of learning!! The most exciting part? There’s a special section about students going to study at these foreign universities. It’s like having a school exchange where you get to learn from teachers in another country for a short time. This could be just for a few classes or even an entire academic year!!
What’s great is you don’t always need to pack your bags and travel. Sometimes, you can learn from these foreign universities right from your home in India, thanks to the internet. But if you do go, you’ll come back to finish your studies in India. It’s a great way to experience different styles of learning and make new friends from all around the world!
Ultimately, it’s all about giving students the best chance to learn, grow, and be ready for the world, just like training cricket players to be their best. And that’s what makes these new rules by AICTE so important and exciting for everyone in the field of education!!