UGC Invites Applications from Institutes Seeking ‘Eminence’ Status

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has initiated the application process for universities and institutes seeking the ‘eminence’ tag. With this start, the project proposed by the HRD Ministry to set up 20 world class institutes (10 public and 10 private) has come into practical effect.

The project was launched in order to create world class universities that will provide globally recognised standards of education and foster internationalisation of Indian campuses. The government will invest Rs. 10,000 crore in a span of ten years for setting up these world class institutes. The shortlisted and selected institutes will be eligible to be a part of this project.

The application process will be open for the next 90 days. Interested public and private institutes and universities can apply for the ‘Eminence’ tag.

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HRD Ministry is taking all the necessary steps to accord the ‘Institute of Eminence’ tag to the selected institutes by April 2018. It will constitute an empowered expert committee that will process the applications and initiate the process of shortlisting the institutes. Those selected will get an 'Eminence' tag which will be valid for the next 10 years i.e. until 2028.

UGC has divided institutes into the following three categories: -

• Existing private higher education institutes
• Existing government educational institutes
• Sponsoring organisation for setting up private institutes

Eligibility to Register for ‘Institute of Eminence’ Tag: -

• All the higher education institutes that featured in the list of top 50 institutes in NIRF Rankings are eligible to apply. (OR)
• Higher learning institutes that are working towards grabbing a spot or have already featured in the list of top 500 universities in the world in QS University Rankings/ Times Higher Education World University Rankings/ Shanghai Ranking Academic Ranking of World Universities can also apply.

Guidelines to Apply for ‘Institute of Eminence’ Tag: -

• New institutes which are going to apply for ‘Institute of Eminence Tag’ must submit a detailed 15-year vision plan to feature among the top 500 globally ranked institutes.
• Existing institutes that have already featured in the list of top 500 institutes in the world, must submit a detailed 10-year vision plan to feature among the top 100 globally ranked institutes.

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All institutes that qualify to be shortlisted for the ‘Institute of Eminence’ status will be free from the usual regulatory mechanism that they are bound to follow. These institutes will be able to choose their path for becoming institutes of global repute while stressing on high-quality research, international collaborations, best global practices and multi disciplinary initiatives. These institutes will also be accorded permission to enroll 30% international students, and 25% international faculty. On the other hand, private institutes with 'Institute of Eminence' status will not have any restrictions on the number of international faculty that they can hire.

The selected institutes and universities will have complete liberty to devise their own courses, fix the fee structure and create centres, without having to get an approval from the UGC.