University of Southampton to Open Campus in Delhi-NCR
The University of Southampton from the United Kingdom will soon open a campus in India, specifically in Delhi-NCR. This makes it the third foreign university to establish a presence in the country, following the steps of two Australian institutions.
UGC Grants Approval
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has granted the University of Southampton a Letter of Intent (LoI) under the National Education Policy 2020. This LoI, issued on August 29, marks the first such approval under the UGC’s new guidelines for foreign universities to set up Indian campuses.
A foot forward towards realising the goal of ‘internationalisation at home’ as envisioned in the NEP 2020.
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) August 29, 2024
Today, a LoI was handed over to @unisouthampton for setting up their campus in India in the presence of EAM @DrSJaishankar. Glad that more and more globally-renowned HEIs… https://t.co/WTpOr5E2pI
Existing Foreign Universities in India
Earlier this year, Australia’s Deakin University became the first foreign university to open a campus in India, launching its branch in GIFT City, Gujarat. Deakin University offers courses like the Master of Business Analytics and Master of Cybersecurity (Professional).
Following Deakin, Australia’s University of Wollongong also opened a campus in GIFT City. Classes began in July with courses such as Master of Computing in Data Analytics and Graduate Certificate in Computing. The University of Wollongong India will soon expand its offerings with FinTech programs starting in November.
Future Prospects for Foreign Universities
India’s effort to attract foreign universities is gaining momentum. Malaysia’s Lincoln University College is reportedly planning to establish a campus in India, specifically in Telangana. Ranked between 301-340th in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023, Lincoln University College was the first foreign university to apply through the UGC’s portal.
The UK’s Oxford University has also shown interest in setting up a campus in India. Last year, several international universities, including Oxford, shared their recommendations with the UGC for establishing campuses in India. These suggestions included allowing university clusters, defining faculty eligibility, and outlining the required duration of stay for foreign faculty.
Criteria for Foreign Universities
In November 2023, the UGC established new regulations for foreign universities looking to set up campuses in India. To qualify, universities must rank within the top 500 globally. They also have the autonomy to hire faculty and staff as per their recruitment policies.
Foreign universities can only admit students and collect fees after receiving a formal notification from the UGC. Two or more universities may collaborate to establish a campus in India, provided each institution meets the eligibility criteria individually.
The UGC’s regulations ensure that the quality of education provided in India matches that of the university’s home campus. This move aligns with the National Education Policy’s goal to attract top global institutions and position India as a global education hub.
Challenges Ahead
While these guidelines are a significant step forward, there are challenges. Critics argue that the government’s initial 10-year permit for foreign universities might not be enough to attract institutions that need to adjust to India’s ecosystem. Additionally, the lack of financial incentives like land subsidies or revenue rebates could be a deterrent.
Nonetheless, India’s ongoing reforms and proactive approach are likely to continue attracting global universities, making the country an increasingly important player in international education.
