Foreign centre MoUs lack implementation in reality

Telangana’s higher education academic landscape has seen an increase in the number of memorandums of understanding (MoUs) being signed with foreign universities and other higher educational institutions (HEIs) from around the world. However, parents and students are often unaware of the nuances of these academic partnerships, as the reality on the ground can differ from what is stated in the fine print. Success stories and failures exist where MoUs never take off and remain only on paper. JNTU-H has been successful in rolling out two programmes under two different understandings reached with foreign HEIs. However, proposals made to HEIs in Estonia and Taiwan have yet to take off, despite discussions being held. Students enrolling in these programmes must bear the cost of study, which differs from country to country. Students often look for assistantships, scholarships, and work permits to meet the expenses of their studies after landing in another country. It is important for local HEIs to provide necessary orientation to students on these issues to ensure that students take these initiatives seriously. The Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE) has pledged to take steps to ensure that institutions provide necessary orientation to students on these issues. HEIs must issue separate admission notifications for twinning/double degree programmes being rolled out by an HEI in Telangana along with its counterpart abroad.