The Directorate of Higher Education has issued a circular directing Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) to examine a complaint received through the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) public grievance portal. The complaint pertains to Vice-Chancellor Professor Mahesh Verma's proposal to establish an offshore campus in Guyana, South America.
Allegations and University Response
The complaint alleges that the proposal is legally "questionable, unconstitutional, and violates territorial jurisdiction." The university has been asked to review the matter, take appropriate action, and submit a detailed factual report with para-wise comments on the allegations, along with supporting documents, at the earliest.
Dr. Kamal Pathak, GGSIPU Registrar, stated, "The university has jurisdiction restrictions only for the purpose of affiliation, which is being followed in letter and spirit. The current proposal is to set up a university-owned campus, not an affiliated institution, hence there is no violation of jurisdiction."
Legal Provisions Cited
University officials cited Section 5 of the GGSIP University Act, which grants powers of cooperation and collaboration with other universities or institutions of higher learning. Sub-section 10 states: "to co-operate or collaborate or associate with any other university, authority or institution of higher learning in such manner and for such purpose as the university may determine." Sub-section 43 adds: "to do all such other acts and things as may be necessary or incidental to the exercise of all or any of the powers of the university or necessary or conducive to the attainment of all or any of the objects of the university."
Background of the Initiative
The initiative gained momentum during the January 2023 visit of Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana and an alumnus of GGSIPU. He expressed a desire for the university to expand higher education opportunities for students in Guyana. "The initiative for the offshore campus began with this," officials said.
On December 11, 2024, the university received a communication from the Director of GOAL and Vice-Chair of the National Accreditation Council of Guyana, conveying approval from the country's Ministry of Education for the establishment of an offshore campus. The administrative department of higher education conveyed its approval to the university on October 30, 2025.
"The proposal is still under active consideration of both countries to work out the modalities of collaboration," officials said, adding that "a detailed report on this is being sent to the Delhi government."
The Directorate of Higher Education Director said she would look into the matter.
