5 PIO varsities coming up for Indian diaspora

Updated on: Tuesday, June 14, 2011

The Government of India proposes to set up five PIO (person of Indian origin) universities in different cities in the country to “deepen its connectivity with the diaspora.”

Bangalore is one of them, Didar Singh, Secretary in the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, announced in the just-concluded mini Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here.

“These universities will be set up under the Innovation Universities Bill, which has been introduced in Parliament.” Their focus would be only on innovation. “Students won't be bothered about passing exams or marks.”

They would be full-fledged universities built in public-private partnership and 50 per cent seats would be set aside for students from the Indian diaspora.

“The PIO universities are part of our ongoing commitment to the diaspora,” Mr. Singh said. “We are already running some programmes — like Know India Programme and Study India Programme — for the diaspora youth to know India.” The official said the PIO universities would serve as a platform for the diaspora youth to not only reconnect with their roots but also acquire excellent education and professional skills.

“We have also noted that reverse migration [to India] is a reality and we have to take note of that. We are pleased that the second and third generations [of the diaspora] are looking at India,” he said.

5 PIO varsities coming up for Indian diaspora

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