S.A.U. to come up near I.G.N.O.U.

New Delhi, Oct 31 (PTI) The South Asian University
(S.A.U.), aimed at providing world-class facilities and
professional faculty to students and researchers from
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (S.A.A.R.C.)
countries, would come up near Indira Gandhi National Open
University (I.G.N.O.U.) here.

The Delhi Development Authority (D.D.A.) would be
allotting 100 acres of land for the University at Maidan Garhi
near I.G.N.O.U. and the cost of the land approximately Rs 75
crore would be borne by the External Affairs Ministry.

The Union Cabinet, which met Thursday, has given its nod
for bringing the South Asian University Bill in Parliament,
Finance Minister P. Chidambaram told reporters Friday.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had proposed establishment
of a S.A.U. at the 13th S.A.A.R.C. Summit held in Dhaka in
2005.

The University would grant diplomas, certificates and
degrees. The University is expected to function from 2010 with
5,000 students and a post graduate academic programme.

The Cabinet also gave its approval to Union Public
Service Commission's (U.P.S.C.) proposal to upgrade two posts
in order to attract talents in the senior positions.