The UK’s largest-ever delegation to India discussed transnational education, digital learning and research initiatives, with the aim of strengthening education ties and aligning on strategic goals such as India’s National Education Policy and the UK-India 2030 Roadmap.
The government of Maharashtra in India and the British Council collaborated on a high-profile higher education conference at Mumbai University’s Kalina campus. The event marked the UK’s largest-ever higher education delegation to India, with participation from 31 UK institutions and groups including Universities UK International and Pearson.
Discussions were spearheaded by government officials in Delhi, Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Mumbai. Delegates from India and the UK visited the Indian Institute of Technology and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, among other stops, to tackle international partnerships, transnational education and research initiatives.
Discussions and collaboration
The conference centered around two themes. The first emphasized open, distance and digital learning, along with interdisciplinary fields such as technology and computer science. The second concentrated on social science, liberal arts, and media, as well as healthcare and medical science. Indian and UK universities presented their areas of interest and sought recommendations for advancing partnerships.
Shri Vikas Chandra Rastogi, principal secretary of Maharashtra’s Department of Higher and Technical Education, pointed to the state’s robust education ecosystem and suitability for collaboration with the UK. The focus was on mutual benefit through transnational education and research, aligning closely with India’s National Education Policy and the UK-India 2030 Roadmap.
Challenges and regulatory frameworks
The conference also delved into challenges related to the implementation of India-UK joint degrees. These included maintaining quality standards, logistical considerations, and navigating regulatory frameworks. Discussions also covered cooperation through the mutual recognition of qualifications and the foreign collaboration regulation of the University Grants Commission.
The event was part of larger ongoing initiatives, including the Going Global Partnerships and UKIERI, facilitating the two-way mobility of educators, researchers and students. The conference also explored opportunities for fostering industry-academia partnerships and the establishment of UK institutions’ campuses in India.
