Bengaluru based Manipal Global Education Services Private Limited (MGESPL), a subsidiary of the Manipal Education and Medical Group, will set up a university each in South Africa and Sri Lanka.

"About 20% of students joining our university in Malaysia are from Sri Lanka; many are opting for our varsity in Nepal too. Africa has a shortage of doctors and there is demand for quality education, especially in the south and east. MGESPL will offer medical, dental, engineering, humanities and other courses at the universities in South Africa and Lanka. The governments in both countries are keen on joining hands with us to offer professional courses. Talks are on with local partners," S Vaitheeswaran, MD and CEO of MGESPL, told TOI.

At present, MGESPL is running five universities in countries like Nepal, Malaysia, Dubai and Caribbean. Once the campuses are set up in these countries, MGESPL will offer a course in medicine with an annual intake of 150. The intake for non-medical courses will be 500 to 1,000 in these universities.

"We are looking at sourcing faculties globally to work in Lanka and South Africa. Today, we can send our faculties from India and also recruit from these countries. Investment is not a constraint for us," Vaitheeswaran said.

On reserving seats for Indian students aspiring to pursue medicine in MGSEPL's foreign campuses, he said the university is ready to offer seats but the Medical Council of India has to allow them to practise here.

(Times of India)