Shillong (PTI): With an eye on tie-ups with overseas universities, the University Grants Commission is in the process of framing guidelines related to the academic collaboration for areas of mutual interest in education and research.

"The intention of entering into academic collaboration is for common mutual interest of learning and research," UGC chairman Prof Sukhdeo Thorat said at the ongoing three-day annual meeting of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) here.

Ruling out commercial gains in the collaboration, Prof Thorat said, "India does not believe in commercial gain in this endeavour as out ultimate aim is the strict adherence to human rights in terms of providing education to the needy."

He said there would be specific guidelines in matters relating to possessing dual degrees and sharing of courses between India and other countries.

The UGC chief said academic collaboration had already been initiated between foreign universities and Indian for mutual learning and excellence.

A memorandum of understanding was signed with France on Sunday to provide scholarships for students of both the countries to pursue masters degree courses and research education, he informed, adding that similar tie-ups have been made with UK, Australia, Sri Lanka, Germany, the US, Denmark and the Netherlands.