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Lucknow University looks to go global, set up branches in G20 countries
This year, the university received around 850 applications from foreign students. Foreign applicants were just 60 in number three years ago, the V-C said
Lucknow University (LU) has an ambitious plan to set up its campuses in the G20 countries. With G20 meetings proposed in the state, the university is in talks with the state government officials to help it stitch an understanding with representatives of the member countries where it can start offering its academic programmes in the time to come.
Addressing his first press conference in his second stint as LU vice-chancellor, Prof Alok Kumar Rai said, “We are in the pursuit of offering good academics. We are already in talks with state government officials already. If a G20 member country shows interest, then we would like to set up our campus there... It will work as our satellite campus.”
Buoyed with National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) A++ grading, the vice-chancellor was hopeful of a building an international reputation for the university since the number of foreign students there has increased in the last three years. “This year, the university received around 850 applications from foreign students. Foreign applicants were just 60 in number three years ago.”
The V-C claimed LU was the first varsity in the country to implement National Education Policy (NEP)-2020, which recommends that top universities should be encouraged to set up campuses abroad.
The central government, in February last year, had constituted a 16-member panel to prepare a framework for Indian universities to set up their campuses in other countries. Prior to that, University Grants Commission (UGC) had amended its regulations and allowed the Institutions of Eminence (IoEs), including the IITs in Delhi, Kharagpur, Chennai and Bombay, Delhi University, and Banaras Hindu University, to set up campuses abroad after prior approval from the ministry of education and no-objection certificates from the ministries of external affairs and home affairs.
The G20 Summit, to be held in 2023, will introduce the world to Brand Uttar Pradesh, chief minister Yogi Adityanath had said recently. Various meetings as part of it have been proposed to be held in Varanasi, Lucknow, Agra and Greater Noida.
Box Convocation chief guest
Former ISRO chief Padma Vibhushan Dr K Kasturirangan, who was the chairman of the committee tasked with drafting NEP, will be the chief guest at the Lucknow University convocation to be held on January 21 on its second campus, said vice-chancellor Prof Alok Kumar Rai.
