Off-campus centres unlikely without amendment to law

Ahmedabad: Private universities cannot establish off-campus centres in Gujarat unless the Gujarat Private Universities Act of 2009 is amended, according to experts. Despite the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) recent authorization to private universities nationwide to establish such centres, the state law prohibits this expansion.
The state legislation lacks provisions enabling private universities to establish off-campus centres within Gujarat, leading to concerns among potential investors.To facilitate such expansion, experts suggest amending the state act. However, education department officials say that the UGC’s nationwide permission supersedes state-level regulations, implying no legal impediment.
The UGC decision of March 5 permits private universities to establish off-campus centres across India, provided they meet certain criteria. These criteria include a minimum operational period of five years, accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), and compliance with staffing, infrastructure, and financial prerequisites set by the UGC. Additionally, universities must secure approvals from relevant regulatory bodies and furnish adequate land lease documents for a minimum 30-year period.
Universities must ensure that the infrastructure, faculty and courses offered at off-campus centres match those at the main campus. An establishment fee of Rs 10 lakh is also mandated by the UGC.
While this decision expands educational options for students, concerns persist about its potential impact on Gujarat’s public universities, as private university expansion could further weaken them.