The Ministry of Education has taken a major step towards realizing the goals of internationalization of education as envisioned in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. In a ceremonial event titled ‘Mumbai Rising: Creating an International Education City’ held in Mumbai, Letters of Intent (LoIs) were issued to five globally reputed universities from the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States of America and Italy.
The establishment of the branch campuses of University of York, University of Aberdeen, University of Western Australia, Illinois Institute of Technology and Instituto Europeo Di Design (IED), Italy, reflects a deep and growing trust in India’s education ecosystem.
The handing of the LOIs took place in thepresence of Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan; Minister of Higher and Technical Education, Government of Maharashtra, Chandrakant Patil and Chairman, UGC, Dr. Vineet Joshi, abong others.
Further talks are ongoing with 5 more universities
Devendra Fadnavis said that the swift issuance of LoIs reflects the speed and commitment of the Government. He further stated that talented Indian students who faced accessibility and affordability issues in pursuing foreign education can now do so in India at reduced costs. The Government aims to make accessible, global quality education across various domains and further talks are ongoing with 5 more universities, he stated.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister Pradhan said that NEP 2020 envisions India as a global study destination, offering premium education at an affordable cost. India is encouraging top international universities to establish campuses here, while empowering Indian Higher education institutions to expand globally.
He further added that this initiative reflects a growing two-way movement of ideas, talent and trust. India is not just participating in global education ecosystem; we are shaping it. He further said that we are not just inviting foreign universities; we are co-creating ecosystems of innovation, entrepreneurship and research.
The LoIs handed over allow the universities to establish their offshore branch campus in India. All five universities from UK, USA, Australia and Italy, receiving the LoIs are ranked among the top 500 in the QS World University Rankings, signifying strong global academic credibility. The University of Western Australia will establish two campuses, one each in Mumbai/Navi Mumbai and Chennai, reflecting the growing confidence of top institutions in India’s regulatory and academic landscape.
First-time foreign universities will establish a presence in Mumbai
This is the first-time foreign universities will establish a presence in Mumbai/Navi Mumbai, with some expected to set up campuses in the upcoming Education City in Navi Mumbai under the UGC Regulations, 2023. The establishment of these university campuses in India will be beneficial for students, in terms of extending global course curriculum and study opportunities in India and for research, knowledge exchange, enterprise and engagement.
Senior officials of the Union Ministry of Education, Union Ministry of External Affairs, Government of Maharashtra and the University Grants Commission, alongside dignitaries from the High Commissions & Consulates and representatives from foreign universities were present on the occasion..
The representatives from High Commissions, Consulates, and Foreign Universities welcomed the Government of India’s visionary move under NEP 2020 to allow offshore campuses.
With the current round of approvals, the UGC has now issued a total of seven Letters of Intent (LoIs), including the previously cleared institutions such as the University of Southampton and the University of Liverpool from the United Kingdom, to set-up offshore branch campuses in India.
It is important to note that Deakin University and the University of Wollongong from Australia were the first foreign institutions to start operations in India, at GIFT City, Gujarat, under the IFSCA regulations.
Indian institutions are going global
The 2023 UGC regulations enabling foreign universities to set up campuses in India are only one part of a broader internationalization vision. Parallelly, Indian institutions are going global. IIT Delhi has launched a campus in Abu Dhabi, IIT Madras in Tanzania and IIM Ahmedabad is gearing up to establish a presence in Dubai.
Indian universities can collaborate with foreign counterparts
Further Indian universities can now form academic collaborations with foreign counterparts through joint, dual and twinning degree programmes and the recently notified Equivalence Regulations that provides a mechanism for recognition and grant of equivalence to qualifications obtained from foreign educational institutions.
This development, aligned with the five-year celebration of NEP 2020, highlights India’s commitment to creating a globally competitive and inclusive higher education ecosystem.