Mumbai: In a significant move to boost the India-UK higher education partnership, the University of Bristol, one of the UK’s top universities, will open its first campus in India’s financial capital city, Mumbai. Following formal approval from India’s University Grants Commission (UGC), the ‘Mumbai Enterprise Campus’ will be the University’s first international campus and will open in summer 2026.&nbsp;&nbsp;The University worked closely with partners and the Indian government to identify Mumbai as an optimal location due to the city’s strong reputation for technology, innovation, and the arts—areas that align closely with Bristol’s own strengths.&nbsp;The approval was officially granted in New Delhi at an event celebrating the fifth anniversary of India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.&nbsp;&nbsp;Professor Evelyn Welch, Vice Chancellor and President of the University of Bristol, was formally presented with a Letter of Intent by Vineet Joshi, the Union Secretary Higher Education and Acting Chairman of the University Grants Commission.&nbsp;Mirroring the University’s new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, the Mumbai Enterprise Campus will bring together industry, academics, students and local community partners within a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.&nbsp;&nbsp;Initial subjects taught at undergraduate and postgraduate levels will focus on areas of global distinction for Bristol, such as data science, economics, finance and investment, immersive arts, and financial technology, expanding to computer science and AI, business, and management.&nbsp;Graduates from the Mumbai campus will benefit from global-standard curricula and strong industry linkages, creating seamless pathways to international careers while strengthening India’s skilled workforce.&nbsp;Professor Welch said, “We are absolutely delighted to announce our intention to create a new campus in Mumbai, which marks a pivotal transformation in our 150-year history and a powerful, globally inclusive future we’re proud to build in partnership. Developing an in-country base has long been part of our international strategy and supports our ambition to be a top 50 global university.”&nbsp;It is important to remember that during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UK recently, he spoke about six prominent UK universities that have committed to opening campuses in India, marking a major step in deepening education ties and supporting NEP 2020.

The approval for University of Bristol to open its first campus in India’s financial capital city, Mumbai was granted by India’s University Grants Commission (UGC) and was presented in New Delhi at an event celebrating the fifth anniversary of India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Mumbai: In a significant move to boost the India-UK higher education partnership, the University of Bristol, one of the UK’s top universities, will open its first campus in India’s financial capital city, Mumbai. Following formal approval from India’s University Grants Commission (UGC), the ‘Mumbai Enterprise Campus’ will be the University’s first international campus and will open in summer 2026. The University worked closely with partners and the Indian government to identify Mumbai as an optimal location due to the city’s strong reputation for technology, innovation, and the arts—areas that align closely with Bristol’s own strengths. The approval was officially granted in New Delhi at an event celebrating the fifth anniversary of India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Professor Evelyn Welch, Vice Chancellor and President of the University of Bristol, was formally presented with a Letter of Intent by Vineet Joshi, the Union Secretary Higher Education and Acting Chairman of the University Grants Commission. Mirroring the University’s new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, the Mumbai Enterprise Campus will bring together industry, academics, students and local community partners within a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. Initial subjects taught at undergraduate and postgraduate levels will focus on areas of global distinction for Bristol, such as data science, economics, finance and investment, immersive arts, and financial technology, expanding to computer science and AI, business, and management. Graduates from the Mumbai campus will benefit from global-standard curricula and strong industry linkages, creating seamless pathways to international careers while strengthening India’s skilled workforce. Professor Welch said, “We are absolutely delighted to announce our intention to create a new campus in Mumbai, which marks a pivotal transformation in our 150-year history and a powerful, globally inclusive future we’re proud to build in partnership. Developing an in-country base has long been part of our international strategy and supports our ambition to be a top 50 global university.” It is important to remember that during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UK recently, he spoke about six prominent UK universities that have committed to opening campuses in India, marking a major step in deepening education ties and supporting NEP 2020.

The approval for University of Bristol to open its first campus in India’s financial capital city, Mumbai was granted by India’s University Grants Commission (UGC) and was presented in New Delhi at an event celebrating the fifth anniversary of India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

University of Bristol to open first international campus in Mumbai next year

After a few universities invited fresh applications for the MPhil&nbsp;(Master of Philosophy) programme, the University Grants Commission directed the students not to take admission as MPhil&nbsp;is not a recognised degree anymore.&nbsp;

The commission released the official notice on Tuesday (Dec 26) after a few universities invited fresh applications for the programme.&nbsp;

"It has come to the notice of the UGC that a few Universities are inviting fresh applications for M.Phil. (Master of Philosophy) programme. In this regard, it is to bring to the notice that MPhil&nbsp;is not a recognised degree," said UGC.&nbsp;

"The Regulation No. 14 of the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of PhD Degree) Regulations 2022 clearly states that Higher Educational Institutions shall not offer MPhil&nbsp;programme," it added.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/foreign-universities-campuses-in-india-will-ugcs-move-benefit-students-662513">Watch |&nbsp;Foreign Universities campuses in India: Will UGC's move benefit students?</a>

<iframe allow="accelerometer; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" data-gtm-yt-inspected-7="true" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="lazy" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/foreign-universities-campuses-in-india-will-ugcs-move-benefit-students-662513/embed?autoplay=0" title="live tv" width="100%"></iframe>

The university panel highlighted its previous guideline by stating: "In this regard, it is informed that the UGC has framed the University Grants Commission (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of PhD Degree) Regulations,2022 which has been published in the Gazette of India on November 7, 2022."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-scrutiny-ugc-removes-selfie-points-with-pm-modi-across-colleges-666161">Also read |&nbsp;India: After scrutiny, UGC removes 'selfie points' with PM Modi across colleges</a>

The Commission further requested the universities to take immediate steps to stop the admissions to the M.Phil&nbsp;programme.

"The university authorities, therefore, are requested to take immediate steps to stop admissions to the M.Phil&nbsp;programme for the 2023-24 academic year. Further, students are advised not to take admission to MPhil programme," the UGC said in its notice.

After a few universities invited fresh applications for the MPhil (Master of Philosophy) programme, the University Grants Commission directed the students not to take admission as MPhil is not a recognised degree anymore.

After a few universities invited fresh applications for the MPhil (Master of Philosophy) programme, the University Grants Commission directed the students not to take admission as MPhil is not a recognised degree anymore. The commission released the official notice on Tuesday (Dec 26) after a few universities invited fresh applications for the programme. "It has come to the notice of the UGC that a few Universities are inviting fresh applications for M.Phil. (Master of Philosophy) programme. In this regard, it is to bring to the notice that MPhil is not a recognised degree," said UGC. "The Regulation No. 14 of the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of PhD Degree) Regulations 2022 clearly states that Higher Educational Institutions shall not offer MPhil programme," it added. Watch | Foreign Universities campuses in India: Will UGC's move benefit students? The university panel highlighted its previous guideline by stating: "In this regard, it is informed that the UGC has framed the University Grants Commission (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of PhD Degree) Regulations,2022 which has been published in the Gazette of India on November 7, 2022." Also read | India: After scrutiny, UGC removes 'selfie points' with PM Modi across colleges The Commission further requested the universities to take immediate steps to stop the admissions to the M.Phil programme. "The university authorities, therefore, are requested to take immediate steps to stop admissions to the M.Phil programme for the 2023-24 academic year. Further, students are advised not to take admission to MPhil programme," the UGC said in its notice.

India: University panel says MPhil not recognised degree anymore, warns students from taking admission

The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has justified its decision of<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delegation-of-jnu-students-reaches-ministry-of-human-resources-development-263357"> revising hostel fee</a> by saying that it has a shortage of more than Rs 45 crore due to huge electricity and water charges and salary of contractual staff.

"The University has a deficit of more than Rs 45 crore because of huge electricity and water charges and salary of contractual staff," the JNU on Thursday said in a statement, adding that there is a "misinformation" campaign being run in the name of hostel fee hike.

"In reality, service charges are being levied, which have been zero so far. For the sustainability of the university budget which has run into a huge deficit, it is necessary to levy the service charges in the hostel," the university said.

It claimed that propaganda is being run that a large number of poor students will be adversely affected by the revised hostel charges.

The JNU is unable to pay its 450 contractual employees as the University Grants Commission (UGC) no longer allows payment of salaries of such employees of hostels from the salary head of the budget.

"The UGC has given clear instructions to JNU that all shortfalls in the non-salary expenditures should be met by using the internal receipts generated by the University. Thus, there is no alternative for the IHA than to collect service charges from the students," it said.

As per the preliminary estimates, the revised hostel charges for each general student is approximately Rs 4,500 per month including Rs 2,300 is for food charges per month.

"The below poverty line (BPL) category students have to pay only 50 per cent of the remaining amount of Rs 2,200. Therefore, a BPL category student has to pay approximately Rs 3,400 per month," it said.

Out of 6,000 students residing in the JNU hostel, 5,371 students receive financial aid in the form of fellowships and scholarships.

Dismissing reports that the revised hostel charges in the JNU are more than similar charges in other Central Universities, the institute said, "It needs to be underlined that the JNU does not charge developmental fees, unlike other universities. Moreover, the admission fee in the JNU has been minimal for decades and no revision has taken place for more than four decades."

Justifying the revised hostel fee by its administration, the varsity said, "While the JNU charges admission fee Rs 300 per annum, the Central University of Hyderabad charges around Rs 10,000 per annum."

The students of the JNU have been protesting for the past three weeks against hostel fee hike, a dress code among others.

The university had hiked the double room rent from Rs 10 to Rs 300 per month, single room from Rs 20 to Rs 600 per month and increased one-time refundable mess security deposit from Rs 5,500 to Rs 12,000.

The fee was, however, partially rolled back. Now, the room rent for single-seater rooms will be kept to Rs 600 per month, while it will be Rs 300 for those students who are from the BPL category.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has justified its decision of revising hostel fee by saying that it has a shortage of more than Rs 45 crore due to huge electricity and water charges and salary of contractual staff.

The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has justified its decision of revising hostel fee by saying that it has a shortage of more than Rs 45 crore due to huge electricity and water charges and salary of contractual staff. "The University has a deficit of more than Rs 45 crore because of huge electricity and water charges and salary of contractual staff," the JNU on Thursday said in a statement, adding that there is a "misinformation" campaign being run in the name of hostel fee hike. "In reality, service charges are being levied, which have been zero so far. For the sustainability of the university budget which has run into a huge deficit, it is necessary to levy the service charges in the hostel," the university said. It claimed that propaganda is being run that a large number of poor students will be adversely affected by the revised hostel charges. The JNU is unable to pay its 450 contractual employees as the University Grants Commission (UGC) no longer allows payment of salaries of such employees of hostels from the salary head of the budget. "The UGC has given clear instructions to JNU that all shortfalls in the non-salary expenditures should be met by using the internal receipts generated by the University. Thus, there is no alternative for the IHA than to collect service charges from the students," it said. As per the preliminary estimates, the revised hostel charges for each general student is approximately Rs 4,500 per month including Rs 2,300 is for food charges per month. "The below poverty line (BPL) category students have to pay only 50 per cent of the remaining amount of Rs 2,200. Therefore, a BPL category student has to pay approximately Rs 3,400 per month," it said. Out of 6,000 students residing in the JNU hostel, 5,371 students receive financial aid in the form of fellowships and scholarships. Dismissing reports that the revised hostel charges in the JNU are more than similar charges in other Central Universities, the institute said, "It needs to be underlined that the JNU does not charge developmental fees, unlike other universities. Moreover, the admission fee in the JNU has been minimal for decades and no revision has taken place for more than four decades." Justifying the revised hostel fee by its administration, the varsity said, "While the JNU charges admission fee Rs 300 per annum, the Central University of Hyderabad charges around Rs 10,000 per annum." The students of the JNU have been protesting for the past three weeks against hostel fee hike, a dress code among others. The university had hiked the double room rent from Rs 10 to Rs 300 per month, single room from Rs 20 to Rs 600 per month and increased one-time refundable mess security deposit from Rs 5,500 to Rs 12,000. The fee was, however, partially rolled back. Now, the room rent for single-seater rooms will be kept to Rs 600 per month, while it will be Rs 300 for those students who are from the BPL category.

University facing deficit of over Rs 45 crore, necessary to levy service charges in hostel: JNU justifies fee hike

In the wake of attack on Kashmiri students after the Pulwama incident, the University Grants Commission (UGC) on Friday wrote to vice-chancellors of varsities across the country to ensure safety of Kashmiri students on the campus and to maintain peace and harmony.

The UGC was directed by the Human Resource Development Ministry to issue an advisory to all the universities to ensure that the security of Kashmiri students is not compromised.

"In the context of reports being received through various media regarding the safety of students from Kashmir studying in various higher educational institutions, all universities and colleges affiliated to them are advised to ensure the safety and protection of the students on the campus. They may keep a watch on the situation and seek support of law and order machinery in case of any untoward incident," the UGC letter said.

The letter also requested the vice-chancellors "to look into the matter personally for the safely of the students and maintaining peace and harmony in universities/colleges".

The letter comes two days after Kashmiri students studying in a college in Yavatmal in Maharashtra were attacked and threatened allegedly by members of Yuva Sena, the youth wing of the Shiv Sena.&nbsp;

Forty Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14 when a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus.&nbsp;

In the wake of attack on Kashmiri students after the Pulwama incident, the University Grants Commission (UGC) on Friday wrote to vice-chancellors of varsities across the country to ensure safety of Kashmiri students on the campus and to maintain peace and harmony.

In the wake of attack on Kashmiri students after the Pulwama incident, the University Grants Commission (UGC) on Friday wrote to vice-chancellors of varsities across the country to ensure safety of Kashmiri students on the campus and to maintain peace and harmony. The UGC was directed by the Human Resource Development Ministry to issue an advisory to all the universities to ensure that the security of Kashmiri students is not compromised. "In the context of reports being received through various media regarding the safety of students from Kashmir studying in various higher educational institutions, all universities and colleges affiliated to them are advised to ensure the safety and protection of the students on the campus. They may keep a watch on the situation and seek support of law and order machinery in case of any untoward incident," the UGC letter said. The letter also requested the vice-chancellors "to look into the matter personally for the safely of the students and maintaining peace and harmony in universities/colleges". The letter comes two days after Kashmiri students studying in a college in Yavatmal in Maharashtra were attacked and threatened allegedly by members of Yuva Sena, the youth wing of the Shiv Sena. Forty Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14 when a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus.

UGC writes to varsities across country to ensure safety of Kashmiri students

The University Grants Commission has released a list of 24 "self-styled" and fake varsities across the country including eight in the national Capital.

"Students and public at large are informed that at present following 24 self-styled and unrecognised institutions are functioning in contravention of the UGC Act in various parts of the country," a notice issued by the UGC read.

"These universities have been declared as fake and are not entitled to confer any degrees," it added.

The fake universities which have been found functioning in Delhi include Commercial University, United Nations University, Vocational University, ADR-Centric Juridical University, Indian Institution of Science and Engineering, Viswakarma Open University for Self-employment, Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya and Varanaseya Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya.

Other universities which have been identified as fake include one each from Pondicherry, Aligarh, Bihar, Rourkela, Odisha, Kanpur, Pratapgarh, Mathura, Kanpur, Nagpur, Kerala, Karnataka, Bihar and two universities in Allahabad.

These universities have been declared as fake and are not entitled to confer any degrees.

The University Grants Commission has released a list of 24 "self-styled" and fake varsities across the country including eight in the national Capital. "Students and public at large are informed that at present following 24 self-styled and unrecognised institutions are functioning in contravention of the UGC Act in various parts of the country," a notice issued by the UGC read. "These universities have been declared as fake and are not entitled to confer any degrees," it added. The fake universities which have been found functioning in Delhi include Commercial University, United Nations University, Vocational University, ADR-Centric Juridical University, Indian Institution of Science and Engineering, Viswakarma Open University for Self-employment, Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya and Varanaseya Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya. Other universities which have been identified as fake include one each from Pondicherry, Aligarh, Bihar, Rourkela, Odisha, Kanpur, Pratapgarh, Mathura, Kanpur, Nagpur, Kerala, Karnataka, Bihar and two universities in Allahabad.