UGC urges all HEIs to appoint compliance officers for foreigners

CHENNAI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has urged all Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to appoint compliance officers to coordinate Foreigners Regional Registration Offices (FRROs) and Foreigners Registration Offices (FROs) for ascertaining facts in respect of foreign students during grant of various services, including visa registration.

UGC Secretary P K Thakur, in his circular to all the vice-chancellors of universities and principals of all colleges and institutions, said: "In the wake of large inflow of foreign students coming to India for education, the nonavailability of a designated person to be contacted by FRROs and FROs at the educational institutes, while processing service applications, leads to unnecessary delays, difficulties and unintentional violations of visa norms by the foreigners, which is leading to undue harassment of the candidates."

"Looking into this, all HEIs are requested to appoint compliance officers to coordinate with FRROs/ FROs for ascertaining facts in respect of foreign students during the grant of various services like visa registration, visa extension, and exit permit along with their attendance, academic performance and other academic records," he added.

The commission also asked that the circular should also be disseminated to all the colleges and institutes affiliated with the respective universities.