India views education as a crucial driver to enhance its engagement with the world, said External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday. Speaking at an event in New Delhi, he highlighted the significance of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in advancing international education in India, marking a milestone with the announcement that the University of Southampton will establish its first campus in India.
Jaishankar emphasized that this development reflects the deepening educational ties between India and the United Kingdom, with the NEP 2020 playing a pivotal role in positioning India as a global education hub. He described the NEP as a visionary policy aimed at elevating India’s educational standards to the highest global levels, fostering global competencies among students and faculties, and attracting international universities to set up campuses in India.
The University of Southampton, ranked among the top 100 universities globally, will bring its academic excellence and innovation to India, benefiting students by expanding their educational and research opportunities. This initiative is expected to enhance India’s global educational footprint and prepare young Indians for the evolving global workforce.
Jaishankar also highlighted the broader collaboration between India and the UK in education, including the Young Professional Scheme (YPS) and research initiatives like the UK-India research programs and the Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC). These efforts aim to address global challenges and promote cultural exchange through international faculty mobility.
The minister expressed confidence that the presence of international universities in India will contribute to a spirit of global understanding and cooperation, ultimately elevating India’s stature in the global education ecosystem.
