News: University for PIOs in Bangalore by 2012

The Manipal Academy of Higher Education has been selected by the Ministry of Overseas Affairs to set up a university for Persons of Indian Origin; 50 per cent of the seats will be reserved for them.

Manipal University plans to set up a Rs 600-crore Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) University in Bangalore by 2011-12. The university will submit a detailed project report to the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) by the month-end.

A non-resident Indian (NRI) is an Indian citizen who has migrated to another country, whereas a PIO is one who is born outside India. Kerala, Punjab, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are among the states with the highest number of NRIs and PIOs.

The ministry selected the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Trust to set up the university. It will primarily cater to the needs of quality education for children of the burgeoning Indian diaspora. The idea of an exclusive university for PIOs/NRIs was first mooted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in 2006.

The rationale is to have a multi-disciplinary university with seats reserved for PIOs. Universities in India face restrictions and regulations in admitting PIO/NRI students, also not all of them provide these students with the courses they opt for. Currently, an Indian university is allowed to reserve 15 per cent seats for PIO/NRI students.

Around 25 million PIOs are scattered in nearly 130 countries. Experts estimate India needs at least 1,133 more universities. The existing 367 Indian universities cater to a meagre 7 per cent of the 18-24 year age group as compared to at least 15 per cent, the average for Asia.

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Courtesy:- Business Standard