India (Commonwealth Union)_ In a groundbreaking development for the Indian education sector, the University of Southampton has emerged as the first UK university to receive formal approval from the Indian government to set up a comprehensive campus in the country. This major milestone aligns with the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) effort to bring the world’s top 500 foreign universities to establish campuses in India, thereby enhancing the quality and diversity of higher education in the region.
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The formal commencement of this collaboration was marked by the handing over of a Letter of Intent (LoI) to the University of Southampton. The ceremony was attended by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who underscored the importance of this initiative under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Dr. Jaishankar stated, “This reflects both the vision of elevating our educational standards to the highest global levels and delivering on the education pillar of India-UK cooperation.” He also expressed optimism that these initiatives would further equip Indian youth to address global challenges, thereby promoting international collaboration.
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The University of Southampton, ranked among the top 100 universities globally, plans to set up its campus in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR). The campus will emphasize education, research, knowledge sharing, and enterprise activities, effectively merging Southampton’s world-class expertise with India’s burgeoning potential as a global education hub. Furthermore, Mark E. Smith, president and vice chancellor of the University of Southampton, emphasized the strategic importance of this initiative. He stated, “In the 21st century, no university can be truly global without engaging with India. We intend to create a campus that delivers social value and economic impact both for India and the university”. Smith further elaborated on the objective of integrating Southampton’s educational and research prowess with the immense talent of India, regarded as a rising global superpower.
Professor Andrew Atherton, vice president of International and Engagement, highlighted the campus’s crucial role in promoting academic collaboration and enriching the Indian higher education system. He noted, “The University of Southampton Delhi NCR will be the first comprehensive international campus in India. It will foster academic collaboration and bring an international dimension to the Indian higher education system, opening up opportunities for students to pursue a top 100 degree within the country”. Furthermore, this initiative is considered a pivotal step toward fulfilling the NEP 2020’s vision of internationalization at home. The Indian Education Minister has also praised the increasing interest of globally recognized higher education institutions in partnering with Indian institutions, thereby contributing to India’s aspirations of becoming a global education and talent hub.
While this marks a significant advancement for UK-India educational relations, it is also important to note that only Australian universities, Deakin University and the University of Wollongong, have previously established campuses in India, located in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). Additionally, Malaysia’s Lincoln University College was the first foreign institution to register through the UGC’s dedicated portal to establish a campus in India. Furthermore, the University of Southampton’s establishment of a campus in India not only reinforces the commitment to international education but also serves as a catalyst for enhancing the educational landscape in the country. This initiative is poised to bring forth new opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange, ultimately benefiting students and the broader community in India.
