private universities?

http://www.livemint.com/2009/04/17192338/PE-investment-in-education-to.html?d=1

"fund managers are focusing on this untapped segment to maximise returns"

The statement is the essence of private colleges. I dont know about private universities, but definitely, private colleges are viewed as a good source of income like a paan dukaan, or garment export. Some of the people who own colleges are local dadas who want to make a quick buck. The colleges are located in city centres on a main road in an apartment block. A couple of bedrooms are knocked together to make lecture rooms. For about one month in the year, these rooms are transformed into labs. About 25-30 students do their practicals in these 20'x12' rooms at one time that too chemistry practicals. The students don't pay very high fees. This and the fact that they are on bus routes make these colleges are very popular.

The teaching staff just come and teach 6 periods at a stretch and go home. They do not have any say in the college administration. They do not have any other role in the college.They are never made permanent and are always on contract basis for 9 months every year. They are paid a small salary (about 40-60% of the norm). The principal is also a dummy one with not much administrative role except the day-to-day running of the college. The owner holds the reins and his say is the ultimate in every aspect of college administration. Many of these owners are also local politicians (did I not say local dadas?) and some are not educated.

The low fees notwithstanding, these colleges make huge profits because they do not have much of capital expenditure (rented building and no labs) and have low running costs.