The UK’s University of Southampton, counted among world top 100 universities, has become the first UK university to be granted a licence by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to establish a campus in India. The granting of a licence will allow the University to progress with its plans to offer education, research, knowledge exchange, and enterprise in India.
A Letter of Intent (LoI) was issued to the University of Southampton (UoS), UK, allowing them to establish their first-ever campus in India. This will be the first foreign University to be issued LoI under the UGC Regulations for setting up of Indian campuses of foreign universities.
The letter of Intent was issued to the University of Southampton (UoS), UK in an event on August 29 held in New Delhi, titled Internationalization of Education under NEP 2020: Setting up of Foreign University in India.
Union Minister for External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar graced the occasion along with participation of dignitaries, including Shri Sanjay Murthy, Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education; Shri Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs; Ms. Christina Scott, Deputy High Commissioner, UK in India; Mr. Andrew Atherton, Vice-President, International, University of Southampton; Shri M. Jagadesh Kumar, Chairman, UGC; esteemed Ambassadors of nations; eminent academicians from Private and State universities; industry officials and other distinguished guests.
Dr. S. Jaishankar, in his address expressed his happiness over the handing over of Letter of Intent to the University of Southampton which will be establishing a campus in India under NEP 2020. He said this reflects both the vision of elevating our educational standards to the highest global levels and delivering on the education pillar of India-UK cooperation. Confident that such endeavors will further make our youth work ready and foster a spirit of global understanding and cooperation, he stated.
The Minister highlighted the initiative will help establish a strong interactional footprint of brand India in the educational sphere. This is a growing reality as new technologies and service demands are sought to be harmonized with demographic deficits, the Minister said.
Professor Andrew Atherton, Vice-President International and Engagement, said: “University of Southampton Delhi NCR will be the first comprehensive international campus in India. It will foster academic collaboration and bring an international dimension to the Indian higher education system, opening up opportunities to study for a top 100 degree in-country.
We will develop world-class, work-ready graduates with specialist and transferable skills that will enhance India’s fast-growing knowledge economy. We will undertake research and knowledge exchange in partnership with local universities, industries and government and apply the results to deliver real-world social and economic impact.”
“This is a hugely exciting initiative for India, and our university, and we thank the University Grants Commission of India, the Ministry of Education, the British High Commission, the Indian High Commission, and the British Council, for their confidence in our application” he added.
The University of Southampton has been active in India for more than 50 years and has developed deep and mutually beneficial partnerships. The upcoming campus will enable the University of Southampton to build on these links by amplifying research collaboration and impact, extending teaching partnerships, creating two-way student and staff mobility, and ensuring local civic and community engagement.
According to a statement by the University, It aims to develop world-class, work-prepared graduates with specialist and transferable higher skills that will enhance India’s fast-growing knowledge economy. The campus will undertake research and knowledge exchange in partnership with local universities, industries, and government, applying the results to deliver real-world social and economic impact, and enable a more entrepreneurial and innovative country.
The creation of the UoS campus in India will be beneficial for students, in terms of extending global course curriculum and study opportunities in India, and for research, knowledge exchange, enterprise and engagement. Courses will be offered on business and management, computing, law, engineering, art and design, biosciences and life sciences. The University has submitted a 10-year projected course rollout plan. In the first three years they will operate the following courses:
- First year: BSc Computer Science, BSc. Business Management, BSc. Accounting and Finance, BSc. Economics and MSc. International Management, MSc. Finance.
- Second year adds BSc. Software Engineering, BSC Creative Computing, MSc. Economics.
- Third year adds LLB Law and then B. Eng (Mechanical Engineering).
Speaking on the announcement, Mark E. Smith, President, and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton, said: “In the 21st century, no university can be truly global without engaging with India. Our intention is to establish a campus that delivers social value and economic impact to India and the university by bringing together Southampton’s world class activities in education, research, and knowledge exchange and enterprise, with all the talent of the rising global superpower that is India.”
He further added, “Through this new campus, the University of Southampton will help deliver a critical element of the Government of India’s transformative agenda, playing our part in harnessing the potential, talent and capabilities of Indian youth.”
Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, said: “The new University of Southampton campus will be a centre of world-class education and innovation. It will also give more British students the chance to have the incredible experience of living and studying in India.
“This exciting collaboration will foster educational excellence and further strengthen the unique living bridge that connects our two countries.”
Alison Barrett MBE, Director India, British Council, added: “The University of Southampton’s decision to establish a campus in India is a testament to the thriving education partnership between India and the UK.
“This landmark development marks our shared commitment to the internationalisation of education, research and innovation as set out in the National Education Policy 2020. It reinforces our belief that education is a powerful catalyst for building bridges and cross-cultural understanding between nations and shaping a brighter future for young people.”
India’s National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) places a strong emphasis on attaining the highest global standards in higher education quality. It highlights the need for “internationalization at home” and promotes India as a global study destination, offering premium education at an affordable cost. The establishment of the branch campus of University of Southampton in India will enhance India’s appeal as a top global study destination and strengthen India-UK relations, paving the way for future educational collaborations.
