Maharashtra is preparing a new Education Hub Policy to attract international universities by offering incentives such as land and concessions on electricity tariffs. The initiative also aims to expand the state’s higher education network beyond Mumbai and Pune by developing education centres in other regions.
At least five foreign universities have already established operations in Mumbai. Under the proposed framework, the government is exploring opportunities to create similar hubs in cities such as Nagpur, Nashik and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
“Even as a few foreign universities have already set up campuses in Maharashtra, there is no state-level guiding framework or governing model. This policy will address that gap, with an additional benefit of strengthening state public universities by facilitating international collaborations,” an official privy to the developments surrounding the policy said.
Sources in the Higher and Technical Education Department confirmed that the draft policy has been prepared and circulated among departments, including Revenue and Law, to obtain their feedback and objections. Following this consultation, the final proposal will be submitted to the state Cabinet for consideration.
The government is pursuing its own policy framework despite the entry of some international institutions through the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) regulations governing foreign university campuses in India.
“While some foreign universities have already entered Maharashtra through the University Grants Commission (UGC) framework for setting up foreign university campuses in India, the state government is now looking to formulate its own policy to facilitate a larger presence of such institutions in a way that could benefit existing state universities through collaborations and other measures,” the official said.
A major objective is to distribute higher education infrastructure more evenly across Maharashtra, rather than concentrating facilities primarily in Mumbai and Pune. The proposed policy will also examine the role of improved transport links and infrastructure in supporting new education centres.
“The development of infrastructure and connectivity along the Samruddhi Mahamarg could also be considered while identifying opportunities for expanding higher education facilities in these regions,” the official said.
Beyond attracting overseas institutions, the framework seeks to improve the quality of existing public universities through international academic partnerships, joint research initiatives and knowledge-sharing arrangements. The government also intends to encourage collaborations that can strengthen academic performance and research capabilities across state-run institutions.
Source: The Indian Express
