HYDERABAD: Despite vehement opposition from the Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC) to allow private universities into the state, the state government has firmed up its decision to open doors for private universities to set up their centres in the state.
“We have started the exercise. But, the private universities bill may not be introduced in the ongoing winter session of the State Assembly,” sources in the higher education department told Express.
“All the states, except four, across the country have already passed laws allowing private universities. Private universities are functioning in these states, now. However, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana are yet to allow private universities into their respective state,” sources added.
The sources further said that the state government is firm on allowing private universities into the state in order to meet competition and provide better education to students.
The officials are now studying the model adopted by various states. For example, the Andhra Pradesh government allowed eight private universities to function from the state. There is no reservation provided to locals in these private universities in Andhra Pradesh. Andhra government gave free hand to them. But, some states have made it compulsory that local students be provided 10 to 25 per cent seats in private universities.
The rest of seats can be allotted to any student as per the choice of the private universities.
It is learnt that the Telangana government is studying all these models to frame guidelines for the functioning of private universities in the state, in such a manner that the interests of local students are not affected.
There are around 250 private universities in the country till date. The private universities could offer latest courses, which provide employment, sources said.
The state government is also proposing to ask the private universities to provide 25 per cent seats to Telangana students. This condition would help the native students.
“We will protect the interests of the Telangana students,” Deputy Chief Minister K Srihari, who holds education portfolio, told Express.
Srihari, who had already conducted a first round of review on allowing private universities into the state, disclosed that the officials of higher education department are currently examining various models adopted by other states in this regard.