New Delhi: On Monday i.e. on May 3, 2010, the Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister introduced the Foreign Education Institutions (Regulation of Entry And Operations) Bill 2010 in the Lok Sabha. The Foreign University Bill 2010 was introduced amidst strong protests by Left MPs.
The proposed Foreign University Bill 2010seeks to regulate entry and operation of foreign educational institutions imparting or intending to impart higher education (including technical education and award of degree, diploma and equivalent qualifications by such institutions). Presently, only the All India Council for Technical Education has notified regulations for entry and operation of foreign universities and institutions to impart technical education in India.
Mr Sibal, in a statement of the bill's objects and reasons, has said that the enactment of a legislation regulating entry and operation of all the foreign educational institutions is essential to preserve the standards of higher education within the country as well to protect the interest of the students and in public interest. In addition, the bill provides that the foreign educational institution shall offer and impart education in conformity with the standards laid down by the statutory authority.
Furthermore, the bill also provides that the central government may refuse to recognize and notify a foreign educational institution as foreign education provider, if it is not in the interest of sovereignty, integrity of India, security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality or sensitivity of location of the foreign educational institutions.
