There is a lot of excitement in the air about the proposal accepted by the Union Cabinet about foreign universities to set up operations in India. It is but obvious that they would be subject to certain conditions. The question is whether this will make any difference to the overall infrastructure and facilities available in India.

The sheer shortfall in facilities for higher education and its quality in India are so huge that this permission may not make much difference. Some foreign universities and colleges may open their campuses in India but that would hardly be able to fulfil the gap between demand and supply. So, Indian students would continue to flock major countries that attract educational tourism. The fact is that the numbers seeking higher education in India outnumber the universities and institutions of higher learning can support present here.

Even when they start operating in India, they would be quite expensive. This would make it out of reach for the segment that actually cannot travel abroad for higher education. So, it is questionable whether this permission will mean affordable world class education in India.

More so, in India, such initiatives end up like a drop in the ocean. With this, huge investments for setting up such institutions will be a major deterrent. Foreign universities and colleges are facing cut backs in Government grants and assistance on account of the recent recession. So, they may not have funds in near future to take advantage of this permission. This might lead them to market their current facilities in countries like India and let international students pay.

In addition, there is an inherent risk of only B-grade international universities and colleges setting up base here. The objective of providing quality education may be defeated. The bill also has a major flaw as it sets no limits on the fee to be charged. That leaves the door open for exploitation in the name of “foreign” university/college.

However, the only silver lining in the proposal under consideration is that there is a beginning of a new hope. But in the end, the solution does not lie in permitting foreign universities to open up their shops. Instead, it is the improved facilities and teaching aids in existing educational infrastructure in India. Why not have provisions where big names collaborate with Indian universities, especially in states like Bihar, UP and Orissa and invest in their infrastructure and human resources? That will be the real gain for India.

In addition, it also needs to be understood that Indian students do not pursue overseas education only for the purpose of education. Their intention is to relocate to that country for better standards of life. This includes the overall quality of life, including employment and income opportunities that the developed countries offer. So irrespective of the scenario, the flow and outward movement to offshore educational facilities will continue unabated. Education is just one of the many important issues.

All in all, India as a nation must address issues related to corruption, bureaucratic mess, and law and order situation, infrastructural facilities like power, water and roads to make Indians stick to India.