The UK university has submitted a 10-year projected course rollout plan
In a significant stride towards realizing the ambitious goals set out in India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Ministry of Education has issued a Letter of Intent (LoI) to the University of Southampton (UoS), UK, permitting the establishment of its first-ever campus in India.
 
The University of Southampton, ranked among the top 100 higher educational institutions globally, is set to be the first foreign university to establish a campus in India under the UGC Regulations for setting up Indian campuses of foreign universities. The university has submitted a 10-year projected course rollout plan.
 
The formal event announcing this, held in New Delhi on Thursday (August 29, 2024), marks a crucial milestone in the internationalization of education in India, a vision central to NEP 2020. The move is poised to elevate India’s educational standards to global levels, attracting students worldwide and cementing India’s status as a global education hub.
 
The event titled "Internationalization of Education under NEP 2020: Setting up of Foreign University in India," was attended by key figures such as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and other notable dignitaries.
 
Global Exposure to Indian Students
The establishment of the University of Southampton’s campus in India is expected to provide students with unique opportunities for global exposure while receiving an education rooted in Indian values.
 
The university has submitted a 10-year projected course rollout plan, which includes offering courses in business and management, computing, law, engineering, art and design, biosciences, and life sciences. The first year will see the introduction of BSc Computer Science, BSc Business Management, BSc Accounting and Finance, BSc Economics, and MSc International Management, with additional courses to be added in subsequent years.
 
Professor Andrew Atherton, Vice-President, International, University of Southampton, highlighted that the Delhi campus would be the first comprehensive international campus in India, aiming to develop world-class, work-ready graduates with specialist and transferable skills that will enhance India’s fast-growing knowledge economy.
 
He emphasized that the creation of this campus would benefit students in terms of extending global course curricula and study opportunities in India and for research, knowledge exchange, enterprise, and engagement.
 
‘Initiative reflects the broader vision of NEP 2020’
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the development reflects the vision of elevating the Indian education system to global standards; it also takes forward the education pillar of India-UK cooperation.
 
“Pleased to attend handing over of Letter of Intent to the University of Southampton which will be establishing a campus in India under NEP 2020. 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. Confident that such endeavours will further make our youth world ready and foster a spirit of global understanding and cooperation,” EAM Jaishankar posted on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
 
During the event, EAM Jaishankar expressed his enthusiasm for the LoI issued to the University of Southampton, highlighting that this initiative reflects the broader vision of NEP 2020. He highlighted that the initiative will help establish a strong interactional footprint of brand India in the educational sphere.
 
EAM Jaishankar also mentioned some of the major initiatives that are part of the India-UK Road Map 2030 and said that cooperation in education has been a major part of it.
 
In this context, he referred to the MoU on Mutual Recognition of Academic Qualifications between the two countries and the Young Professionals Scheme (YPS) which provides a unique opportunity for young graduates in both the countries to learn and benefit from each other's institutions, programs such as the UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI), and the scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC).
 
Creating a Vibrant Ecosystem of Knowledge Exchange
Union Education Minister Pradhan reiterated the importance of internationalization in the NEP 2020 framework. He emphasized that the establishment of foreign universities in India and Indian HEIs abroad is not merely about expanding educational opportunities but about creating a vibrant ecosystem of research, knowledge exchange, and global collaboration. "Educational institutions across countries have a responsibility to produce ‘global citizens’ with global ethos who can provide solutions to global challenges," Pradhan stated.
 
The Ministry of Education reinforced the significance of this development, describing India as a "Vishwa-Bandhu" (global partner) committed to fulfilling its global responsibilities and building a brighter future for education, innovation, and progress. Sanjay Murthy, Secretary, Department of Higher Education, emphasized that since the launch of NEP 2020, the Ministry has been rolling out various reform initiatives aimed at ensuring inclusive and equitable global-quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.
 
The NEP 2020’s emphasis on internationalization at home aligns with the broader objectives of making India a global education destination, offering premium education at an affordable cost. The presence of globally renowned institutions like the University of Southampton in India is expected to enhance India’s appeal as a top global study destination, paving the way for future educational collaborations and solidifying India’s position on the global education map.