PUNE: The public universities across the state could soon host branches or campuses of leading foreign universities, with the state government proposing dual and joint degree programmes, joint research and faculty and student exchanges as part of a new five-year higher education scheme.
The provision is part of the CM-SRISTHI (Scheme for Research, Innovations and Technological Hubs in Higher Education Institutions), approved by the state cabinet and notified by the higher and technical education department on October 6.
The scheme will be implemented for five years, from 2026-27 to 2030-31, and covers state public universities, the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai, COEP Technological University, Pune, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University, Lonere, and government higher and technical education institutions and polytechnics. The government plans to particularly attract universities ranked among the leading institutions in the QS World University Rankings and international research organisations working in emerging fields. The proposed collaborations could offer dual and joint degrees, joint research, faculty and student exchanges, shared research facilities and international academic programmes. The government will provide financial assistance for required infrastructure and research facilities. At the same time, projects will be implemented on a viability-gap funding model, with substantial contributions expected from foreign universities or through public-private partnerships. The GR lists proposed Centres of Excellence at institutions including ICT Mumbai, DBATU Lonere, COEP Technological University, VJTI Mumbai, Government College of Engineering Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalgaon, Karad and Amravati, and Shri Guru Gobind Singhji Institute of Engineering and Technology, Nanded. The scheme also proposes a Meta University model connecting multiple universities, research institutions and industries through a common academic ecosystem, allowing sharing of courses, faculty, research facilities and other academic resources.
