Goa: No duplication of courses by private universities will be allowed under new law

PANAJI: Education officials said that as and when private universities establish institutes in Goa, it will be ensured that there is no duplication of programmes already available in the state.
The state cabinet has given its approval to the Goa Private Universities Bill, 2020. Currently there is only the state-funded Goa University and the new bill will allow institutes affiliated to private institutes to establish campuses here.
As per the provisions of the bill, a committee will be set up to scrutinise and approve the programmes, officials said.
“In no way will institutes offering general stream programmes be allowed to offer programmes in the state. We have sufficient number of colleges offering such programmes to meet the current demand,” a senior education official said.
Similarly, programmes like engineering will also not be allowed as there are already five institutes in the state, besides the IIT and NIT, the official said.
“A committee set up by the state will ensure that only programme that are currently not available in the state are allowed. The state will give preference to niche programmes like in space technology. Goa could also do with another medical programme other than the state-funded one at Goa Medical College,” the official said.
The bill is presently awaiting the governor’s nod, director of higher education Prasad Lolayekar said, adding that currently there are no proposals with the directorate of higher education.
An official said that the state is hoping to be modelled as an education hub, where students from other states will be attracted to come and study at these private universities.
“Goa obviously does not have the kind of numbers that can make such institutes feasible. It means that students from outside the state will be attracted to come and study here. This will boost the local economy in many ways,” an official said.