To promote quality higher education in the state, the Uttar Pradesh government has taken historic decisions. It has approved the establishment of three new private universities and launch of a special Atal Bihar Vajpayee scholarship scheme for studying abroad.
The proposals were approved in a meeting of the state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath here on Thursday.
State Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay informed that in the memory of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the UP government is launching the “Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee-Uttar Pradesh State Government Scholarship Scheme” in collaboration with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), United Kingdom.
This scheme will start from the academic year 2025-26 and will be applicable for the initial three years. Under the scheme, five meritorious students of the state will be provided full scholarship for one year master’s degree in any subject in any recognized university of the United Kingdom. This scholarship will provide academic fee, examination and research fee, monthly allowance for single student’s stay and one-time round trip airfare in economy class.
The minister said the estimated total expenditure per student under the scheme will be between £38,048 to £42,076, out of which the Uttar Pradesh government will bear £19,800 i.e. about Rs 23,00,000 and the remaining expenditure will be borne by FCDO UK.
The cabinet meeting also gave an in-principle approval to the establishment of three new private universities in the state. Vedanta University, Muzaffarnagar will be established by Fateh Chand Charitable Trust on 23.3349 acres of land in Hussainpur Bopada, Tehsil Khatauli, district Muzaffarnagar.
Apart from this, 25.31 acres of land has been identified by Bodhisattva Charitable Trust, Lucknow in village Gadiya, Pargana Deva, Tehsil Nawabganj, District Barabanki for the establishment of Bodhisattva University, Barabanki. For the establishment of this university, the State Government will promulgate the “Uttar Pradesh Private University (Third Amendment) Ordinance, 2025” and thereafter issue the operating authority letter.
As the third university, K.D. University, Mathura has been proposed to be established by Rajiv Memorial Academic Welfare Society, Mathura on 50.54 acres of land in village Akbarpur, Tehsil Chhata, District Mathura.
Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay said that all these decisions have been taken with the aim of qualitative improvement in the field of higher education in the state, availability of global opportunities and promotion of private participation in the field of education. He said that the state government is committed to enable the youth to compete on the global platform.