Corporate Strategy Article | "Foreign Universities in India: Boon or Bane?"

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Corporate Strategy Article | "Foreign Universities in India: Boon or Bane?"

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Unfortunately, reputed universities like Harvard, Yale and Cambridge have already refused to come to India (US Colleges say no for setting up campuses in India, Siliconindia.com 13 January 2010).

However, we should allow only programs that are only accredited by International standards be allowed to operate in India. If we are demanding foreign universities because of their international quality, then the accreditation must be also from international bodies that are recognized globally. For example, if Duke is allowed to open a campus to start MBA program in India, then the MBA program of Duke (in India) has to get AASCB International accreditation (http://www.aacsb.edu ) or The European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS). AASCB International accreditation and EQUIS are very stringent. Similarly, for Engineering you have ABET (http://www.abet.org/).

If a university is being allowed to operate as a whole (with multiple programs), they should be allowed only when their respective Association of Universities recognizes them. For example, Association of American Universities recognizes only 34 Public universities, and 26 Private universities. In order to get these accreditation, the university programs needs to have good infrastructure, a minimum number of PhD faculty, should have a suitable course assessment tool, and have minimal number of research publications in peer reviewed journals. This will automatically improve the quality of programs. This will also block many universities which do not have accredited program on their own to start these programs in India. The commission can decide which International accreditation they have to comply with.

Allow students to complete the program in respective home campuses of the foreign universities, and get exactly the same degree in the parent university. For example, if Hopkins provides the Masters in Public Health (M.PH) program in India. Students should be able to go to Hopkins campus in Baltimore, and finish the same program there and get the same degree. However, beware that they are not giving another degree like Global M.PH.

There should be strong emphasis on research in these universities. The commitment to do active research in frontier areas should be obtained from these universities before allowing them to operate in India. There should be a minimum research expenditure made by the foreign university operating in India. For example, a small university like Iowa State University spends $60 million a year in US, and we would like similar research investment commitment from universities willing to come to India. Universities like Duke, INSEAD are required to have a certain number of PhD students, and faculty with high research credentials to operate in Singapore campus.

The best approach is to make a case-by-case decision, on whether the particular university will be allowed to operate in India. Whichever body makes the decision to allow a particular university to operate in India, should adhere to the above-mentioned policies and should be accountable.

The issues raised by Yashpal committee report should be addressed before allowing the foreign universities to operate in India.