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The University of Southampton has made history as the first UK institution to gain approval from the Indian government to open a comprehensive campus in India. This landmark achievement marks a significant advance in the Indian education sector, aligning with the University Grants Commission (UGC) initiative to invite the world’s top 500 universities to establish campuses in the country.
Today, a letter of intent (LoI) was presented to the University of Southampton, marking the official start of this partnership. The ceremony took place in the presence of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. who underscored the importance of this development under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
This reflect both the vision of elevating the our educational standards to the highest global levels and delivering on the education pillar of India-UK cooperation,” stated Dr. Jaishankar. He expressed optimism that this initiative would better prepare Indian students for global challenges and improve international cooperation.
The University of Southampton, ranked among the top 100 universities worldwide, will establish its new campus in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR). This campus will emphasize education, research, knowledge exchange and enterprise activities, merging Southampton renowned expertise with India growing potential as a global education center.
Mark E. Smith, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton, emphasized the strategic importance of this initiative. In the 21st century was no university can be true a global without engaging with India. We aim to create a campus that delivers both social value and economic impact to India and to the university by integrating Southampton’s excellence in education, research and knowledge exchange with India emerging talent,” Smith said.
He also noted that the new campus would play a vital role in supporting the Indian government’s transformative agenda by harnessing the potential of Indian youth. Professor Andrew Atherton, Vice-President of International and Engagement, highlighted the campus’s role in fostering academic collaboration and enriching the Indian higher education system. The University of Southampton Delhi NCR will be the first comprehensive international campus in India.
It will promote academic collaboration and bring an international perspective to Indian higher education, providing students the opportunity to earn a top 100 degree within the country,” he stated. his development is seen as a major step toward realizing the NEP 2020’s vision of ‘internationalization at home.
The Education Minister also praised the increasing interest of globally renowned higher education institutions in partnering with Indian institutions and contributing to India’s emergence as a global education and talent hub.
To date, only Australian universities—Deakin University and the University of Wollongong—have established campuses in India, specifically in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). the Malaysia Lincoln University College was the first foreign university. To apply through the UGC’s dedicated to portal to set up a campus in India.
University Of Southampton: What Does this Mean for you?
Union Minister S. Jaishankar, at a New Delhi event titled “Internationalisation of Education under NEP 2020: Setting up of Foreign University in India,” presented the Letter of Intent (LoI) to representatives from the University of Southampton. This milestone is part of a broader initiative to elevate India educational standards to global levels. Such efforts will prepare our youth for the world and promote global understanding and cooperation,” Jaishankar noted in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
The new University of Southampton campus will be established in Gurugram within the National Capital Region (NCR). It aims to provide world-class education and learning opportunities across various top degree programs. This development will enable students to access high-quality education from a prestigious institution without needing to travel abroad.
What are the Criteria for Application?
In November 2023, the UGC introduced regulations for foreign universities wishing to establish campuses in India. To qualify, these institutions must be ranked among the top 500 globally and are granted the autonomy to recruit faculty and staff according to their own procedures.
According to the regulations, foreign higher education institutions (FHEIs) can only admit students and collect fees after receiving formal permission from the UGC to commence operations in India. Additionally, two or more universities can collaborate to establish a campus in India, provided each meets the eligibility criteria individually.
The regulations are designed to ensure that education provided at these Indian campuses matches the quality of their main campuses abroad and complies with local laws. The National Education Policy aims to attract top international universities to India, positioning the country as a global education hub. Amrita Sadarangani. Head of College of Science and Engineering Partnerships at the University of Edinburgh, noted, “India openness is driven not only by the new education policy but also by universities initiating new projects.
Courses
First year:
- BSc in Computer Science
- Business Management
- Accounting and Finance
- Economics
- MSc in International Management and Finance
Second year: Software Engineering, BSC Creative Computing, MSc Economics
Third year: adds LLB Law and then B Eng (Mechanical Engineering).
University Of Southampton: Why is this Important ?
The Visa restrictions, job uncertainties and shifting immigration policies in countries such as the UK, Canada, the US, Australia and New Zealand have increasingly complicated the process for Indian students wishing to study abroad. the establishment of campuses by top international universities in India offers a promising alternative for those seeking high-quality education without the hurdles of visas and immigration issues.
The Foreign universities are allow to open a campuses in GIFT City and other parts of India. Australian universities have been pioneers in this initiative, providing students with access to Australian education locally, thus eliminating concerns over visa and immigration challenges,” explains Aarushi Jain, Partner and Head of Media, Education & Gaming at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas.
These international campuses promise to produce world-class graduates equipped with both specialist and transferable skills. the University of Southampton Delhi will produce work-ready graduates with high-caliber skills that will contribute significantly to India growing knowledge economy,” notes Professor Andrew Atherton.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has already set out regulations for the establishment and operation of foreign university campuses in India in 2023. UGC Chairman Jagadesh Kumar has assured that “the degrees awarded by the India campus of the University of Southampton will be equivalent to those from the main university. The programs offered will meet the same academic and quality standards.
Alongside Southampton, two Australian universities—the University of Wollongong and Deakin University—have also established campuses in GIFT City, Gujarat. These campuses benefit from the special economic zone status, which provides tax exemptions and allows universities to repatriate profits.
Campus to Focus on Research and Innovation
The Indian government has announced that the University of Southampton has submitted a detailed 10-year course rollout plan for its upcoming campus in Delhi-NCR. According to the plan, the university aims to offer a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, starting with a strong initial lineup.
In its first year, the campus will introduce bachelor’s degrees in computer science, business management, accounting and finance, and economics, alongside master’s degrees in international management and finance. The following year will see the addition of programs in software engineering, creative computing and economics, broadening the educational offerings further. By the third year, the university plans to expand into new fields, including law and mechanical engineering.
Professor Andrew Atherton highlighted the significance of the new campus during his address at the recent event. He emphasized that the Delhi-NCR campus would be fully integrated into the University of Southampton’s global network. “Our students in India will receive the same degree and be as much a part of our student community as those at any other University of Southampton campus.
The campus will offer the same quality of education, experiences, and activities,” Atherton stated, underscoring the commitment to maintaining high standards and a cohesive student experience. UGC Chairperson M. Jagadesh Kumar also spoke at the event, noting the considerable interest from international institutions in setting up campuses in India. “The UGC has issued the letter of intent to the University of Southampton, aligning with the NEP’s goal of establishing India as a global education hub by advancing higher learning and research,” Kumar remarked.
Union Minister of External Affairs S. Jai shankar described the issuance of the letter of intent as a “significant milestone” for India education system. The approval for the University of Southampton, ranked among the top 100 universities globally, reflects the robust and multi-dimensional bilateral relationship between India and the United Kingdom. Education is a key pillar of this relationship,” Jai shankar said.
He emphasized that this initiative would strengthen India international presence in the education sector, aligning with new technological advancements and addressing demographic challenges. The establishment of this campus is seen as a major step towards integrating global educational standards with India’s growing academic landscape, improve their opportunities for students and reinforcing India position as a prominent player in the global education arena.
Which foreign varsities may Come to India?
Malaysia’s Lincoln University College is poised to establish a campus in India, marking a notable step in the country’s push to attract top global universities. According to a February report by the Indian Express, Lincoln University College became the first foreign institution to apply through the UGC’s dedicated portal to set up a campus in India. The Malaysian university has indicated its interest in establishing a campus in Telangana.
Ranked between 301-340 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023, Lincoln University College is among the early adopters of the new UGC regulations designed to facilitate the entry of foreign universities into the Indian educational landscape.
The University of Oxford has shown interest in setting up a campus in India. Last July, ThePrint reported that several leading foreign universities, including Oxford, had submitted proposals to the UGC to streamline the process for establishing campuses in the country. Key recommendations from these universities included allowing clusters of foreign institutions to set up campuses, defining faculty eligibility criteria, and specifying the required duration of stay for foreign faculty members in India.
The UGC Chairman M. Jagadesh Kumar commented on the interest from prestigious institutions. We anticipate that universities like Oxford are keen on setting up campuses in India, which is why they are providing feedback. Informal meetings with foreign delegations at the UGC have confirmed their interest,” Kumar stated.
The UGC has received input from over 200 Indian and international stakeholders, including prominent institutions such as the University of Melbourne, Northeastern University, Texas University, University of Queensland, Istituto Marangoni and St. Petersburg University. These suggestions are shaping the framework for facilitating foreign university operations in India, reinforcing the country commitment to becoming a global education hub.
