The University Grants Commission (UGC) bestowed upon OP Jindal Global University the official ‘Institution of Eminence (IoE)’ title, alongside 13 other institutions of higher education. This confirmation came after the university satisfied several legislative and procedural requirements since its selection for the IoE status in 2019.
The Backdrop of IoE Status
In 2018, the Empowered Expert Committee (EEC), under the leadership of N. Gopalasamy (former Chief Election Commissioner), proposed a number of institutions for potential IoE status designation. The aim of this initiative was to establish 20 first-class educational institutes in India with efforts to elevate them to world-class status. Furthermore, the intention was to help these institutions secure top global rankings.
Objectives of IoE Tag
Several important objectives were associated with the granting of IoE status.
One such objective was to encourage excellence and innovation, by providing high-quality higher education and spawning research-worthy ideas at postgraduate, graduate, and research degree levels.
Another goal pertained to specialization, promoting institutions to engage in specialized areas and contribute distinctively to the objectives of the university education system.
Global rating was also a prime objective, with an ambition for these institutions to strive for international acclaim in teaching and research as the top hundred institutions globally.
Lastly, the final goal centered around quality teaching and research, intending to drive the advancement of knowledge and increase its dissemination.
Eligibility Criteria for IoE Status
To receive the IoE status, the institution must rank among the top 50 in the National Institution Ranking Framework (NIRF), or within the top 500 in internationally recognized rankings. Eligible public institutes for IoE inclusion encompass Central Universities, Government-owned and controlled Deemed to be Universities, Institutions of National importance like IITs, NITs, etc., and State Universities established under a law made by the Legislative Assembly of a State. Private institutions are assessed based on their ranking in QS India or NIRF, with NIRF rankings used as a tie-breaker, while an institution that does not appear in any of these rankings stands excluded from the list for IoE tag.
Consideration for Greenfield Proposals
If there are any remaining vacancies after considering the above criteria, ‘Greenfield’ proposals will be taken into account. Generally, the term ‘greenfield project’ refers to initiating a project without regard to any prior work. The Greenfield Institutions are granted a three-year period to establish and operationalize the institution. Satya Bharti Foundation (Airtel’s philanthropic wing) became the second greenfield institution to receive IoE status, following Reliance’s Jio Institute.
Benefits of IoE Tag
Institutions graced with the IoE tag will enjoy greater freedom and autonomy in deciding fees, determining course durations, and setting governance structures. In terms of financial benefits, public institutions with the IoE tag are slated to receive a government grant of Rs.1,000 crore. However, private institutions will not receive any funding under this scheme.