The University Grants Commission (UGC) has simplified the procedure for an Indian higher educational institution to offer programmes in collaboration with foreign universities by entering into a MoU with each other directly.
- Under the new regulations, universities and colleges will no longer be required to seek its permission to do so, if they met the ranking criteria.
- The two colleges will have to enter into a written Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) or agreement.
- The regulations shall not be applicable to programmes offered online and in the open and distance learning mode.
Offered Programmes
The regulations allow three types of degree programmes: Dual, Joint and Twinning.
- Dual: The students must earn at least 30% of the total credits from each institution. The credit earned for the course(s) in an institution will be counted towards degrees to be awarded by both institutions. The degrees shall be conferred by the Indian and foreign institutions, separately and simultaneously, upon completion of the degree requirements of both the institutions.
- Joint: The curriculum shall be designed jointly by the Indian and foreign institutions concerned. Students who complete the programme will be awarded a degree jointly awarded by the Indian higher educational institution and the collaborating foreign institution. Students will have to earn at least 30% of the total credits from each collaborating institution.
- Twinning programme: Students enrolled with an Indian university will be allowed to complete their programme in a foreign university. Students can earn a maximum of 30% of the credits required for the programme in the foreign educational institution. The degree offered under such twinning programmes shall be awarded by the Indian university.
Qualifications for Indian institutions
- An Indian college must have a minimum National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) score of 3.01 or figure in the top 100 in the university category of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) or in the top 1000 of Times Higher Education or QS World University ranking.
Qualifications for Foreign institutions
- Foreign universities should be in the top 1000 of Times Higher Education or QS World University ranking to be eligible to collaborate with Indian educational institutions.
