Indian students need to be protected from fly-by-night foreign operator: Arjun Singh

Thats the message from HRD minister Mr Arjun Singh while speaking at FICCI Higher Education Summit, being held in New Delhi on November 2-3. Said Mr Singh, Education is a sensitive area. Indian students are gullible and need to be protected from fly-by-night operator. Mr Singh was responding to the demands for more liberal regime allowing foreign institutions to set-up their campuses in India with 100 % FDI investments.

Mr Singh however added that prestigious top-tier institutions are welcome to set up campuses in India. Pointing to Lord Chris Patten, Chancellor, Oxford University & Newcastle University, UK, Mr Singh said, If Oxford University wants to come to India and set up their campus, they are welcome.

Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) is organizing the two-day Higher Education conference on the theme of Innovation for Quality & Relevance. The Event is being supported by Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India and UK is the Partner Country.

Quality and relevance of Higher Education is key to growth of any economy and the focus of XI Five Year Plan. This Summit brings together educationists, policy makers and corporates to define a road map for accelerating policy change and growth in Higher Education.

Appreciating FICCIs efforts in the area of education, Mr Arjun Singh recommended creation of an apparatus that can link the education sector and Ministry of HRD on a regular basis. Said Mr Singh, To resolve education sector demands and learn their point-of-views, FICCI should create an apparatus that can connect the Ministry and the institutions engaged in the sector.