Centre sets up expert group on varsities' entry

The Centre on Tuesday announced the setting up of a high-level expert committee headed by renowned scientist C N R Rao to guide the government on entry of foreign universities into the country.

The eight-member committee has been requested to submit its comprehensive recommendations by April 15 this year, Union minister for human resource development Arjun Singh said while summing up the decisions adopted at the two-day conference of Ministers of Higher and Technical Education.

The issue of allowing entry to foreign universities was prominently debated at the conference from which significant suggestions emanated, he said.

Singh said participants were conscious of the fact that though it might be "inevitable" to some extent, the entry of foreign universities had to be seen in a much broader perspective to create opportunities and at the same time keep the ethos of the country intact.

It would be possible for the government to take a view on the issue as the task force set up already on the matter would also be ready with its report by April, Singh said and assured that both the reports would be subjected to debate.

He said there was unanimity among delegates for a central legislation on admission and fee structure to professional colleges, but was sceptical of the new law being enacted before the commencement of the coming academic year.

The government was not in favour of promulgating an ordinance, in the event of delay in enacting the legislation, he said. "I would prefer not to do it (the ordinance)."

Singh said the government's intention was to bring in the legislation before the commencement of the coming academic year, but hastened to add that he could not give an assurance because of the parliamentary procedures involved before a Bill was introduced.

He said the inputs provided by ministers at the conference were adequate to prepare the draft Bill. Responding to a query whether the government would promulgate an ordinance in the event of a delay in framing a legislation, Singh asserted, "I don't want to take the ordinance route," adding, he would prefer a Bill.

The conference also debated at length the issue of allowing private universities, their status and existence and how they should function, Singh said.

He said while some welcomed the idea of permitting establishment of private universities, others felt "others (states) may have gone overboard" and that more time was needed to think before making private universities a "common phenomenon".

In this background, the policy and programmes of the government on higher education would take shape after getting inputs from all stakeholders and proposals will be placed before the Parliament.

"As far as possible, a broad view of public opinion will be elicited in this regard," Singh said.

He described the deliberations as "very productive" with the conference having the participation from 25 states.