Modi wants foreign universities to come to India

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to make his most important involvement in the country’s higher education scene. He wants foreign universities to set up campuses in India.

Modi has called for a special meeting with top bureaucrats on June 11 at his official residence in Delhi. His mediation adds to the chances of the long pending idea passing off this time. It been in the pipeline since the UPA rule.

According to media reports the meeting will be graced by the Cabinet Secretary, the foreign secretary, the head of the Niti Aayog, secretaries of the HRD ministry and Department of Expenditure and the Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Over the years an increasing number of Indian students have chosen to travel overseas for higher education, and settle abroad. This denies the country of its best brains.

The commerce ministry feels India has the potential to emerge as a centre for higher education in India. This will also help save foreign exchange.

According to the UNESCO Institute of Statistics, India ranks second to only China in the number of students going abroad. The country sent 2,000,000 students in 2012 alone.

(Image credit: Indiatimes)