Coordinated by the Department for Business and Trade, the delegation comprises representatives from 31 UK HEIs and bodies. They are scheduled to meet with key officials from multiple Indian universities, as well as state and central government bodies in Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Chennai.
The largest delegation of UK universities and education leaders gathered in India for a five-day visit to engage in discussions about the internationalization of higher education institutions, with a specific focus on partnerships, dual degrees and research collaborations.
The delegation arrived in the national capital on Sept. 17, 2023 and is set to participate in the India-UK Higher Education Conference scheduled for Sept. 18-19 in Delhi.
Coordinated by the Department for Business and Trade, the delegation comprises representatives from 31 . They are scheduled to meet with key officials from multiple Indian universities, as well as state and central government bodies in Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Chennai.
Focus areas
“I am delighted to be in India with a large and very engaged delegation of UK universities and officials who are eager to take forward partnerships and collaborations in all aspects of teaching, learning, research and innovation,” said Steve Smith, International Education Champion, UK Government. He emphasized that internationalization of universities significantly enhances the quality of education systems and results in mutually beneficial impacts.
Smith highlighted the purpose of building upon discussions from the previous year and establishing robust collaborations to empower young individuals to address global challenges and generate valuable knowledge.
Building upon discussions held in June the previous year, the upcoming conference will focus on fostering stronger India-UK partnerships in science, research, and innovation, aiming to collaboratively address global challenges through these partnerships.
Additionally, the conference aims to identify and nurture potential higher education collaborations that align with the goals specified in the National Education Policy and the India-UK Roadmap 2030, along with the G20 priority areas in education.
The discussions will also emphasize the “Going Global Partnerships,” a program centered on Transnational Education collaborations between the two nations.
Enhancing education quality and fostering internationalization will be pivotal topics during the discussions. The delegation will delve into Transnational Education and offer insights into the potential and opportunities presented by the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications and the Foreign Collaboration Regulation of the UGC. Additionally, discussions will cover the available opportunities for two-way student mobility.
Industry role
Alison Barrett MBE, Director India at British Council, highlighted the India-UK Higher Education Conference’s role in advancing constructive discussions and initiatives from the previous year, reinforcing educational partnerships between the two countries. She also emphasized the impact of the Going Global Partnerships program, showcasing its success in supporting 70 partnerships between 100 Indian and 55 UK higher educational institutions.
Barrett further noted the announcement of Industry Academia grants, aimed at fostering closer industry ties in curriculum and course development to equip graduates with the skills needed for future jobs. She highlighted that some institutions are already offering courses in emerging fields like Disaster Management and Clinical Trials, with expectations of more to come.
The conference proceedings will involve Higher Education system leaders, grant awardees and senior members of apex bodies like NAAC, UGC, DST and AIU. Approximately 50 vice-chancellors and senior leadership representatives from Indian universities have registered for the conference.
