On Thursday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the growing importance of education in boosting India’s global engagement. Speaking at an event in New Delhi, Jaishankar underscored the significance of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in enhancing India’s educational landscape. During the event, a Letter of Intent was presented to the University of Southampton, which is set to establish its first campus in India, reflecting a significant milestone in international education in the country.
Jaishankar celebrated the event as a testament to the robust and multifaceted relationship between India and the United Kingdom, emphasising education as a key pillar of this partnership. He noted that NEP 2020 aims to internationalise Indian education and position the country as a global leader in this field. The policy aspires to elevate educational standards to meet global benchmarks, attract international students, and set up foreign university campuses, thus fostering global competencies among Indian students and faculty.
The minister emphasised that the initiative will help prepare young Indians for a global workforce, aligning with the demands of new technologies and services while harnessing Indian creativity and talent. He expressed confidence that the University of Southampton’s presence in India will enrich the educational experience by broadening research opportunities, promoting knowledge exchange, and encouraging global engagement.
Jaishankar also highlighted that cooperation in education is a crucial component of the India-UK roadmap for 2030. He pointed out the existing agreements on mutual recognition of academic qualifications and the Young Professional Scheme (YPS), which offers young graduates opportunities to benefit from each other’s institutions.
The collaboration extends to cutting-edge research programs, including UK-India research initiatives and the Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC), which address significant global challenges. Furthermore, the Global Initiative of Academic Network (GIAN) enhances this collaboration by facilitating faculty mobility.
In conclusion, Jaishankar expressed his belief that the establishment of international university campuses in India will enhance cultural exchange, promote global understanding, and elevate India’s position in the global education ecosystem. He is confident that these initiatives will equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the 21st century.
