Australia's Deakin University Campus in India [UPSC Current Affairs]

Australia’s Deakin University will become the first foreign university to enter India through an independent campus in Gujarat’s GIFT City. Know more about this development for the IAS exam current affairs segment.

Australia’s Deakin – 1st Foreign University to set up Campus in India

Australia’s Deakin University is set to become the first foreign university to set up a campus in India. The University will set up an independent campus in Gujarat’s GIFT City.

Image source: Indian Express

• Deakin University is ranked 266th in the QS World University Rankings and features among the top 50 young universities in the world.
• The university is also placed in the 250-300 band in the Times Higher Education World Rankings.
• The campus at GIFT City is expected to start operations in 2024. It plans to first admit students to postgraduate programmes.

Norms for Foreign Universities to set up Campus in GIFT City

Its objective is to reduce the hurdles that foreign institutions and universities face in India to set up a campus here. There are hurdles like reservation policy implementation, administrative control, fee and the requirement that they be a not-for-profit entity.

• According to the norms, educational foreign institutions or universities from the top 500 QS World Universities will be allowed to visit GIFT City and establish suitable facilities and infrastructure to offer courses in Mathematics, Engineering, Technology and Science. 
• The IFSCA (International Financial Services Centres Authority) would have the right to inspect foreign campuses set up in GIFT city.
• The foreign entity’s programs or courses must be identical to those offered by the parent entity in its home jurisdiction, and the same certificate, diploma or degree must be conferred.
• It also permits the parent entity to repatriate any profit without restriction.

Steps taken by Indian Government for foreign universities and institutions:

In the Budget 2022, the Government informed that world-class foreign institutions or universities will be allowed to offer courses in GIFT City.

• In October 2022, the Government notified regulations regarding this.
• These regulations were framed by the International Foreign Services Centres Authority (IFSCA).
• The UGC rules will be applicable to all such potential projects, except those in GIFT City, where only the IFSCA guidelines will be applicable.

Advantages of Foreign University Campuses in India

• It is one of the ideas mentioned in the National Education Policy 2020 to improve the quality of education in India.
• This would encourage competition mainly between existing public and private universities in India and foreign branch institutions.
• This will reduce forex reserve depletion. In 2022 over 5 lakh Indian students went abroad to study, leading to an outflow of an estimated $28-30 billion.
• India’s higher education collaboration with other countries will increase India’s soft power and it will also bring new ideas and institutions from abroad to the shores of India.

Australia’s Deakin University Campus in India:- Download PDF Here