OP Jindal Global University Signs MoU With Union Ministry of Education; Conferred 'Institution Of Eminence' Status

With this, JGU has entered a coveted group of top 10 private institutions in the country to be unshackled from regulatory controls and be given full autonomy.

On this occasion, the Founding Chancellor and benefactor of O.P. Jindal Global University, Mr. Naveen Jindal observed, "I am immensely delighted that JGU has been conferred with the status of an Institution of Eminence. This is an incredible recognition for JGU and is a great tribute to the extraordinary achievements of the university…In our journey towards becoming a world-class university, we will leave no stone unturned and make every effort to enable JGU with resources, academic freedom and autonomy that will help JGU flourish further. I am confident that this will help us achieve the highest standards of institutional excellence on a global platform."

Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice-Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University said, "Today is a red-letter day in the history of JGU. With the conferment of the status of an 'Institution of Eminence' to JGU, we have entered into India's own 'Ivy League' equivalent of top 10 public and top 10 private institutions. Therefore, JGU is exempted from most regulatory controls and has been given full autonomy."

The search for 'Institutions of Eminence' began in the year 2017 with the introduction of the 'UGC (Institutions of Eminence Deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2017' for private institutions and 'UGC (Declaration of Government Educational Institutions as Institutions of Eminence) Guidelines, 2017' for public institutions.

The IoE Policy was launched to implement the commitment of the Government of India to empower Universities and Higher Educational Institutions to help them become world-class teaching and research institutions.

The UGC had received over 100 applications from various educational institutions across the country. Institutions that found a place among the top 50 in the National Institute Ranking Framework rankings or those figuring in the top 500 in certain reputed international ratings were eligible to apply.

The Empowered Expert Committee considered a total of 114 applications, 74 from public institutions and 40 from private institutions, including institutions that were yet to be established (greenfield category) and shortlisted eight public institutions and three private institutions.

In October 2020, a Review Meeting was held on 'Institutions of Eminence' under the Chairmanship of the Union Cabinet Minister for Education, Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank', following which JGU received the official letter from the Ministry/ The signing of the MoU was held on 29 October 2020.

Reflecting on JGU's formidable presence in global rankings of universities, Professor C. Raj Kumar, observed, "JGU broke into the QS World University Rankings on all three levels – Asia Rankings, BRICS Rankings and the World Rankings, having been recognised as India's Number 1 Ranked Private University as per the latest QS World University Rankings and among the top 150 in the world in the latest QS World 'Young' University Rankings. However, being recognised by our own country for what we stand, for what our vision is, for what we have achieved, and for what we intend to accomplish in the years to come is profoundly encouraging for us. "

Professor Dabiru Sridhar Patnaik, Registrar, JGU said, "JGU has always aspired to create a world-class university in India and help create global leaders. To be recognized as an 'Institution of Eminence' has been an important milestone to further our vision of increasing the global footprint of Indian higher education. This particular effort has been a three-year project, which has finally culminated into the highest status of IoE being conferred to JGU by the Government of India. This is a recognition of our pursuit of excellence in the field of education where our decade- long journey has today culminated into 10 inter-disciplinary schools, with more than 6500 students and over 730 full-time faculty members."

The public universities will receive financial support from the government and in the case of the private institutions proposed as Institutions of Eminence, there will be no financial support, but they will be entitled to more autonomy as a special category Deemed University.