The Rs 600 crore university for Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) has been scrapped by the Centre. The Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) had been selected by the Ministry of Overseas Affairs to set up the university during 2008 after the idea for an exclusive university for PIOs/NRIs was first mooted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in 2006. MAHE Trust, after being awarded the project, had planned to start this university by 2012.
The objective of the project was to have a multi-disciplinary university with seats for PIOs. The universities in the country face many restrictions and are subject to regulations in admitting PIO/NRI students. Most universities are even said to be wary of providing these students with the courses they opt for. As of now, a university is allowed to reserve only 15 per cent of the seats for PIO/NRI students.
Manipal’s project was challenged by one Charitable Educational & Welfare Society (Kadammanitta), Pathanamthitta district, in Kerala, and Kerala state that filed a writ petition in the HC of Kerala seeking direction from the court to quash the letter on the university and such other directions.
The plan is, hence, said to have fallen through for the moment. According to a statement from Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs to MAHE Trust (which was supposed to put up the university), the advisory board felt that the proposed PIO / NRI University as also more such universities which may be envisaged, should be established under an Act of Parliament as contrasted to the existing Legislative framework. (Section 3 of UGC Act). “After the bill is enacted a fresh expression of interest would be invited for the proposed PIO/NRI University, as also more such University’s which may be envisaged. Hence, the invitation of expression of interest and letter informing MAHE Trust about the decision to entrust the task of establishing the proposed PIO/NRI University become infractions and government does not propose to proceed with this.”
MAHE was supposed to develop the university in two phases, on 200 acres of land. MAHE had even acquired land for the purpose. The multi-disciplinary university was expected to be self-financed. Manipal was also supposed to reserve around 50 per cent of the seats for PIOs, 15 per cent for NRIs and the rest for Indian students. In the first phase, the PIO / NRI University had planned to offer courses in engineering, information technology, humanities, biotechnology and Masters in Business Administration.
Manipal had then said a medical college with 100 seats, attached to a multi-specialty hospital, would be set up. The university was expected to be run by a special trust that would also have NRIs as trustees. To emphasise the status of the university, even the fee was to be in foreign currency. Even Indian students were expected to pay in foreign currency. Around 25 million PIOs are scattered in over 130 countries. At any given time, over 40,000 foreign nationals (including PIO/NRIs) from about 100 countries study in India.
Senior officials of Manipal Group are hopeful that as and when the Act is passed in the Parliament, they will be the front runners if a new tender is called for. “Manipal is a very strong candidate and could be given the chance... as it is among the only few
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Indian institutions that has the experience with running institutions in multiple countries for such a long time,” a senior official from Manipal group said.
Manipal runs institutions in Nepal, Malaysia and Antigua in the Caribbeans.