In a landmark move towards achieving the goals of internationalization set out in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Ministry of Education has issued a Letter of Intent (LoI) to the University of Southampton (UoS), UK. This historic decision paves the way for UoS to establish its first-ever campus in India, marking a significant milestone as the first foreign university to receive approval under the University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations for setting up Indian campuses of foreign institutions.
Ranked among the top 100 higher educational institutions globally, the University of Southampton’s presence in India is set to transform the educational landscape by offering students a unique blend of global exposure and education rooted in Indian values. The LoI was presented during a special event titled Internationalization of Education under NEP 2020: Setting up of Foreign University in India, held in New Delhi.
The establishment of the UoS campus in India is expected to provide significant benefits to students, offering an international curriculum and opportunities for research, knowledge exchange, and enterprise. The University plans to roll out a variety of courses over the next decade, with a particular focus on disciplines such as business management, computing, law, engineering, art and design, biosciences, and life sciences.
During the first three years of operation, UoS will offer the following programs:
- First Year: BSc Computer Science, BSc Business Management, BSc Accounting and Finance, BSc Economics, MSc International Management, and MSc Finance.
- Second Year: Additional courses including BSc Software Engineering, BSc Creative Computing, and MSc Economics.
- Third Year: Expansion to include LLB Law and B.Eng in Mechanical Engineering.
This initiative aligns with India’s vision to become a global hub for education, providing students with access to world-class education and fostering an environment conducive to academic excellence and innovation.
Dr. S. Jaishankar, in his address expressed his happiness over the handing over of Letter of Intent to the University of Southampton which will be establishing a campus in India under NEP 2020. He said 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 endeavors will further make our youth work ready and foster a spirit of global understanding and cooperation, he stated.
The Minister highlighted the initiative will help establish a strong interactional footprint of brand India in the educational sphere. This is a growing reality as new technologies and service demands are sought to be harmonized with demographic deficits, the Minister said.
Dr. 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.
The MoU on Mutual Recognition of Academic Qualifications between the two countries and the Young Professionals Scheme (YPS), jointly announced by the leadership 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).
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in his message on X platform said this initiative is a foot forward towards realising the goal of ‘internationalisation at home’ as envisioned in the NEP 2020. India as a ‘Vishwa-Bandhu ’ is committed to fulfil its global responsibilities and build a brighter future for education, innovation and progress, he stated.
He further said that the establishment of campuses of foreign universities in India and Indian HEIs abroad is not just about expanding educational opportunities, it is 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, he added.
Professor Andrew Atherton said that the University of Southampton Delhi will be the first comprehensive international campus in India. It will develop world-class, work-ready graduates with specialist and transferable skills that will enhance India’s fast-growing knowledge economy, he added.
The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) places a strong emphasis on attaining the highest global standards in higher education quality. It highlights the need for “internationalization at home” and promotes India as a global study destination, offering premium education at an affordable cost. The establishment of the branch campus of University of Southampton in India will enhance India’s appeal as a top global study destination and strengthen India-UK relations, paving the way for future educational collaborations.
