The UGC (Establishment of and Maintenance of Standards in Private Universities) Regulation, 2003 permits the establishment of off-campus centres.

 

As an alternative to "commercial interests," the UGC announced on March 6 the procedures for state-run private institutions to establish off-campus locations inside their states.

 

The UGC (Establishment of and Maintenance of Standards in Private Universities) Regulation, 2003 permits the establishment of off-campus centers. However, on February 13, 2024, the commission approved the procedures for private universities to open off-campus centers in an effort to "standardize the application process and improve transparency."

 

According to a UGC notice, private colleges are allowed to open off-campus locations as long as the State University Act that governs the university's establishment includes a provision allowing for this. A private institution founded less than five years ago, however, is not permitted to establish such centers. The university will need to keep its programs, professors, and facilities up to pace with the main campus.

 

There are 471 private institutions, according to UGC data, but no private university's off-campus center has received approval from the UGC. Nonetheless, with UGC clearance, a number of privately held deemed-to-be colleges have been permitted to open off-campus locations.

 

The most recent arrangements also permit private colleges to "acquire any affiliated college" that is managed by the same sponsoring trust or business. The statement indicates that the university can gradually dissolve the affiliated college with a no objection certificate from the affiliating university. This is different from the previous notice from the UGC from 2018, which said that private institutions were not allowed to affiliate an institution or a college.

 

Additionally, in order to begin a specific program in the off-campus center, the state private university needs permission from the appropriate statutory or regulatory agency or the issue of a Letter of Intent. The university's academic council or executive council, as well as the statutory authorities, must approve any program or department expansion or seat increase. The UGC notice stipulates that the approvals must be posted on the university website.

 

According to the notice, state-owned private universities must submit proposals for the establishment of off-campus centers to a standing committee. These centers will be subject to quarterly inspections by UGC, and the commission has the authority to close the center and transfer the students to the main campus in the event of a violation. According to the notice, the state private university would need to start the center on its own property or at least lease it for 30 years. It also stated that a processing fee of Rs 10 lakh will be charged by UGC to establish the centre.

 

"This development marks a notable step, introducing a structured framework for evaluating and considering applications for off-campus centers by state private universities," stated M Jagadesh Kumar, chairperson of the UGC. The action is in keeping with the NEP 2020's shifting educational landscape and aims to improve regulatory facilitation and boost higher education expansion.