US varsities show interest in coming to India

US varsities show interest in coming to India

NEW DELHI: As India is set to pass a legislation for setting up foreign campuses in the country, major American universities in their meeting with HRD Minister Kapil Sibal on Wednesday expressed their interest in venturing into higher education here.

According to an official statement from the human resource development (HRD) ministry, American universities "appeared enthused" by the recent introduction of the legislation on foreign universities in parliament.

Representatives from many premier American universities met Sibal, who is currently on a US visit, expressing interest to set up institutions in India.

"Apart from starting their own institutions in India, they (universities) would also like to have collaboration with Indian institutions in other fields, including medical education," the statement said.

Sibal met representatives from Virginia Tech, Georgetown University, American University, and School of International Studies (SIS).

The statement said Virginia Tech has expressed desire to set up a facility near Chennai for research in bio-informatics, nanosciences and transportation studies.

Similarly, Georgetown University expressed interest in venturing in social sciences research and suggested research in emerging areas of climate change and sustainability.

The minister asked them to forward a concept note to decide on the areas of mutual interest.

Sibal also addressed the Council for Foreign Relation, an American think-tank, stressing upon higher education to be one of the key areas for strategic partnership between India and the US.

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