Vice-chancellor Narendra Jadhav briefed reporters on the proposal during a press conference on Saturday. The Central Government has proposed setting up of 14 international universities in the country, and one of these has been planed in Pune. The V-C said that instead of setting up an independent university, which would take a very long time, the UoP would propose that the Centre convert it into an international university.

“I have talked to the Chancellor personally and will make an official proposal. The Chancellor is going to make a presentation on the education scenario in Maharashtra before the President on September 16. There, he will also present this proposal,” said Jadhav.

Jadhav said the university has a better chance as it had more than 14,000 foreign students, which was 50 per cent of the total foreign students in the country. “It will also help the chances of expansion,” he said.

On the subject of setting up a campus in Dubai, Jadhav criticised the UGC authorities. He accused them of a negative attitude towards the UoP’s plans. He alleged that another city-based institute, also setting up a campus in Dubai, wanted to create obstacles before the UoP.