A Guide to Establish Off-Campus Centre of your University

A Guide to Establish Off-Campus Centre of your University

In today’s fast-changing educational environment, state private universities play a pivotal role in delivering quality higher education to a diverse range of students. To further increase accessibility and address the rising demand, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has published an public notice as on 5th March, 2024, an “Invitation of proposal to set-up off campus centres”. Explore the comprehensive process, eligibility criteria, key requirements, procedural steps and detailed guidelines for the creation of off-campus centers by state private universities within their respective states.

India’s higher education sector experiences rapid transformation, innovative solutions are essential to meet the increasing demand for quality education. Off-campus centers present a valuable opportunity for universities to expand their reach, enabling them to serve diverse student groups and address the specific educational needs of different regions. By establishing these centers, universities can more effectively fulfill their mission of providing inclusive, high-quality education.

MODALITIES TO CONSIDER PROPOSAL(S) TO START OFF-CAMPUS CENTRES BY THE STATE PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES.

(As approved in the 577th meeting of the commission held on 13th February,2024)

a. Modalities for Establishment

There are two primary modalities for setting up an off-campus center:

• New Establishment: The university can establish a new off-campus center on its own property or leased land.
• Takeover of Affiliated Colleges: Existing affiliated colleges can be taken over by the university, provided they meet the necessary requirements and a no-objection certificate is obtained from the affiliating university.

b. Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to establish an off-campus center, a state private university must meet the following conditions:

• Minimum Academic Experience: The university should have completed at least five years of academic activities or programs at its main campus.
• State University Act Compliance: The university’s operations should be governed by the relevant State University Act, which includes provisions for off-campus centers.
• Program Approval: The university must obtain approval or a Letter of Intent from the appropriate statutory or regulatory body for the specific programs to be offered at the off-campus center.

c. Key Requirements

• Infrastructure: The off-campus center should have adequate physical infrastructure, including classrooms, laboratories, library, and administrative facilities.
• Faculty: The university must ensure that the off-campus center is staffed with qualified faculty members who meet the prescribed standards.
• Academic Standards: The academic standards maintained at the off-campus center should be equivalent to those at the main campus.
• Governance: The off-campus center should be governed by the same policies and procedures as the main campus.
• Student Welfare: The university should provide necessary support services and facilities for the well-being of students at the off-campus center.

d. Documents Required

When applying to establish an off-campus center, the university must submit the following documents:

• Application form
• Detailed proposal
• Proof of land ownership or lease agreement
• Infrastructure details
• Faculty qualifications
• Academic plans
• Financial projections

e. Operational Framework:

The operational framework of off-campus centres is designed to ensure that they function effectively while maintaining the academic standards of the main campus. Key components of this framework include:

• Governance Structure: Off-campus centres typically operate under the governance of the main university, adhering to its policies and regulations. This structure ensures consistency in academic quality and administrative procedures.
• Academic Programs: The programs offered at off-campus centres should align with the university’s mission and goals. Institutions may choose to offer a selection of existing programs or develop new ones based on local demand.
• Faculty Recruitment and Development: Hiring qualified faculty members who are committed to the university’s standards is crucial. Additionally, ongoing professional development opportunities should be provided to ensure that faculty remain current in their fields and pedagogical practices.
• Infrastructure and Resources: Adequate infrastructure, including classrooms, laboratories, libraries, and technology resources, is essential for the effective functioning of off-campus centres. Institutions must invest in creating an environment conducive to learning.

STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE FOR ESTABLISHING AN OFF-CAMPUS CENTRE

The process of establishing an off-campus centre involves several systematic steps:

For Category I – Institutions Deemed to be Universities:

STEP 1

The Institution will submit the requisite information in the form of Affidavit as per Appendix-l along with the requisite processing fee to Ministry of HRD (Government of India) in duplicate (soft copy also) either for Letter of Intent (Lol) in case where Off-Campus Centre(s) are proposed to be established or for approval of Off-Campus in case the Centre(s) are already established. The requisite information as received shall be forwarded by the Ministry of HRD to UGC for advice

STEP 2

The Chairman, UGC will forward its advice to the Ministry of HRD within 15 days without any physical inspection. The advice to be sent to the Ministry of HRD shall be based on the information submitted by the Institution Deemed to be University in the form of Affidavit clearly indicating whether or not the fulfilment of eligibility conditions by the institution. In case, the advice is made for issuance of Letter of intent (Lol), the UGC shall clearly mention the conditions to be stipulated in the Lol.

STEP 3

On the advice of UGC, Ministry of HRD will issue Notification/Letter of Intent within 15 days. In case of Lol, the Notification shall be issued by the Ministry of HRD after fulfilment of conditions mentioned in the Lol. If the information provided by the Institution Deemed to be University is found to be incorrect/false at any stage, the approval of Off-Campus can be withdrawn and the Institution shall be asked to get affiliated to any State/Central University.

For Category-ll Institutions Deemed to be Universities:

The steps mentioned for Category-l institutions Deemed to be Universities shall be followed; if desired, the UGC may assess & verify the information as provided by the Institute through an Expert Committee.

For other Institutions Deemed to be Universities which are neither in Category-l nor in Category-II:

They shall follow the general procedure mentioned in the existing UGC (Institutions Deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2016, as amended from time to time.

DETAILED PROFORMA INFORMATION OF UNIVERSITY AND PROPOSED OFF CAMPUS CENTERS TO BE SUBMITTED:

About University

• Basic Information
• Accreditation and Ranking
• Programs Offered Student Performance
• Faculty Details
• Research Accomplishment
• Infrastructure Facility
• Financial Status
• Other General

About the Proposed Off-Campus Center

• Basic Details
• Off Campus Ownership
• Programmes to be offered
• Infrastructure
• Faculty Strength
• Mode of Operandi
• Other General

NEP IMPLEMENTATION AS PER UGC MODALITIES FOR OFF CAMPUS CENTRE

UGC’s says if any private university wants an Off-Campus Centre, it has to necessarily implement National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

• Universities seeking to establish off-campus centers must obtain prior approval from the UGC.
• The off-campus center must have adequate infrastructure, including classrooms, laboratories, library, and administrative facilities.
• The center must have qualified and experienced faculty members. Faculty members should adhere to the UGC’s guidelines for teaching qualifications and workload.
• The programs offered at the off-campus center should be aligned with the main university’s curriculum and meet UGC standards.
• The off-campus center must have a quality assurance mechanism in place to ensure the quality of teaching, learning, and research.
• The center should provide adequate student welfare facilities, including counselling services, placement assistance, and extracurricular activities.
• The off-campus center should be affiliated with the main university adhering to academic standards and policies.
• The center should be accessible to all students, including those from marginalized communities.

CONCLUSION

The establishment of off-campus centers by state private universities presents a promising avenue for expanding access to quality higher education in India. By following the guidelines outlined by the UGC and adhering to the principles of the NEP, universities can effectively serve diverse student populations and address regional educational needs.

As India continues to prioritize higher education as a key driver of development, the establishment of well-managed off-campus centers can play a vital role in achieving the goals of the NEP and ensuring equitable access to quality education for all.

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