The University Grants Commission (UGC) has notified the UGC (Promotion and Maintenance of Standards of Academic Collaboration between Indian and Foreign Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2016 with a view to increasing synergy between Indian and foreign academic institutions, to offer students additional choices, improve curriculum and the delivery of knowledge and educational content. The regulations are in supersession of UGC (Promotion and Maintenance of Standards of Academic Collaboration between Indian and Foreign Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2012.
As per the new regulations, Indian Universities and Colleges, having the highest grade of accreditation/ threshold accreditation, and conforming to other eligibility conditions as laid down in the regulations, can apply online to the UGC for starting twinning arrangement with quality Foreign Educational Institutions (FEI) having the prescribed quality. The degree will be awarded by the Indian Educational Institutions (IEIs) alone; joint degrees are not permitted. The regulations provide for time-bound processing of the online applications by the UGC. The portal for academic collaboration with foreign higher educational institutions is ready to be launched shortly. The regulations are available at http://www.egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2016/170684.pdf .
The new regulations have been notified on 11th July, 2016 and it is early to assess the response.
It has been announced on 3rd June, 2016 by the Government that the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) will provide support for engagement of academics from leading foreign Universities with State Universities for curriculum and pedagogical reforms.