India, Oct. 9 -- The public universities across the state could soon host branches or campuses of leading foreign universities, with the state government proposing dual and joint degree programmes, joint research and faculty and student exchanges as part of a new five-year higher education scheme.

The provision is part of the CM-SRISTHI (Scheme for Research, Innovations and Technological Hubs in Higher Education Institutions), approved by the state cabinet and notified by the higher and technical education department on October 6.

The scheme will be implemented for five years, from 2026-27 to 2030-31, and covers state public universities, the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai, COEP Technological University, Pune, Dr Babasah...