Govt to allow private funding in setting up universities

In a significant move, the government has decided to allow private funding in setting up some of the proposed 14 national universities, which would be of world class standards.

During his interaction with British Trade and Investment Minister Mervyn Davies, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal today said the government was in favour of setting up some of the 14 universities in Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) mode.

As per the government's plan these universities would be "global centres of innovation". The HRD Ministry has already prepared a concept note on institutions proposed to be set up in the 11th Plan.

"Sibal told Davies that the government would seek PPP model for creation of some of these institutions. A few other may be set up under complete government funding," a ministry official said.

Sibal's views assume significance as the government is set to bring in a bill to allow foreign education providers to set up campuses in India.

The PPP model may attract certain foreign players to invest in setting up institutions as India has already approved foreign direct investment in education under the General Agreement of Trade and services.

Davies told PTI that many institutions from the UK are interested in collaborating with Indian universities.