Special Correspondent
Panaji
Stating that Parul University has become Goa’s first private university, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday said two more private universities have been approved by the government, thus taking the total number of such universities in the state to three.
“The government is also open to international universities setting up their campuses in Goa,” he said.
Earlier the Chief Minister, at a special event held at Kala Academy, announced inauguration of the state-of-the-art campus of Parul University at Betul in Quepem taluka.
Speaking further, Sawant, who holds the Education portfolio, expressed happiness that the Private University Bill was passed during his tenure. “Competitive universities in Goa will boost student interest, widen opportunities and revive the economy,” he said.
“Inspired by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this institution will strengthen the pillar of Yuva Shakti for a Viksit Goa and Viksit Bharat,” the Chief Minister said, pointing out that Goa’s youth will now find world-class education in healthcare, engineering, management and information technology (IT) within their own state, reducing the need to go elsewhere.
“This milestone takes Goa closer to becoming an Education Hub of India while creating jobs, building skills and driving growth,” he said.
According to the university, its PU Goa campus is set to become a hub of academic excellence and holistic development. The Goa campus is designed to offer modern facilities and a wide range of programmes that are innovative and industry-oriented.
Currently, the university has 509 students across 13 programmes, with 75% of these students being Goans and 70% of the staff local.
The Goa legislative assembly passed the Goa Private Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2025, on July 31, 2025, to allow private universities to establish transitional off-campus centres during the initial phase of their development.
The legislation, which was assented to by the Governor on September 11, 2025, aims to expedite the establishment of private universities by allowing them to operate off-campus locations while their main campuses are under construction.
