Internationalisation of Higher Education in India 

Syllabus: GS2/ Education

Context

• The Ministry of Education has granted a Letter of Approval (LoA) to University of Liverpool to establish its branch campus in Bengaluru under the UGC (Setting Up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations, 2023.

What is Internationalisation of Higher Education?

• It is the process of integrating global, international, and intercultural dimensions into teaching, research, governance, and academic collaboration. 
• The process includes student and faculty mobility, international research partnerships, foreign university campuses, joint degree programmes, and cross-border educational services.

Need for Internationalisation of Higher Education in India

• Enhancing Academic Excellence: Internationalisation promotes the adoption of globally benchmarked curricula, teaching methodologies, and quality assurance standards, thereby improving educational outcomes.
• Building a Future-Ready Workforce: Exposure to international perspectives equips students with critical thinking, intercultural competence, and skills required in a globalised economy.
• Retaining Educational Talent and Resources: Availability of world-class educational opportunities within the country can reduce student migration and associated foreign exchange outflows.
  • India is one of the world’s largest sources of international students, with more than 1.3 million Indian students studying abroad
• Educational Diplomacy: Academic cooperation deepens bilateral and multilateral relations while enhancing India’s soft power and global influence.
• Global Education Hub Vision: Internationalisation is essential for transforming India into a major centre for higher learning, research, and knowledge creation.

Challenges Associated with Internationalisation

• High costs: The programmes offered by foreign institutions may remain unaffordable for economically weaker sections.
• Regional disparities: Most foreign institutions may prefer metropolitan cities, leaving smaller cities and rural regions behind.
• Competitive pressures: Public universities will struggle to compete for talented students, faculty, and research funding.
• Commercialisation of education: Excessive focus on profitability may undermine the broader social objectives of higher education.

Initiatives Taken by India

• The National Education Policy 2020 has placed internationalisation at the centre of higher education reforms. The policy encourages the entry of top global universities into India and promotes international collaborations.
• The UGC Regulations, 2023 have created a regulatory framework for foreign universities. The regulations allow highly ranked foreign universities to establish campuses in India while maintaining global standards.
• The Study in India (SII) Programme is a flagship initiative by the Indian Ministry of Education designed to attract international students to India.
• The Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) aims to bolster India’s research ecosystem by funding joint projects between top Indian institutions and leading global universities.
• The Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN) enhances academic cooperation by bringing distinguished international faculty and researchers to teach short-term or semester-long courses and collaborate with Indian higher education institutions.
• Operational Foreign University Campuses in India:
  • Deakin University in GIFT City, Gujarat (operational since 2024).
  • University of Wollongong in GIFT City, Gujarat (operational since 2024).
  • University of Southampton in Gurugram, Haryana (operational since 2025).

Global Best Practices

• Singapore has positioned itself as a leading global education hub through its “Global Schoolhouse” strategy and substantial investments in higher education and research.
• The United Arab Emirates hosts more than 40 international branch campuses, making it one of the world’s largest hubs for transnational education.
  • Education zones such as Dubai International Academic City accommodate universities from the United Kingdom, Australia, India, and other countries.
• China has established several successful joint universities, including University of Nottingham Ningbo China and Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University.

Way Ahead

• Strengthen Domestic Institutions: Internationalisation should complement, not substitute, the development of Indian universities.
• Prioritise Quality over Quantity: India should attract high-quality foreign institutions that contribute to academic excellence, research, and innovation.
• Ensure Inclusive Access: Scholarships and financial support should be expanded to make global-quality education accessible to all sections of society.

Source: PIB