INDIA THE EMERGING STAR ON HIGHER EDUCATION HORIZON

India is fast emerging as a key higher education hub for students from its neighbouring countries. And, the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) is aiming to attract foreign students in a bigger way. “Research/teaching collaborations and faculty/student exchanges with high-quality foreign institutions will be facilitated, and relevant mutually beneficial MoUs with foreign countries will be signed. High performing Indian universities will be encouraged to set up campuses in other countries, and similarly, selected universities e.g., those from among the top 100 universities in the world will be facilitated to operate in India,” according to the NEP 2020.

- AMIT CHANDA*

Internationalisation is the buzzword Speaking to The Diplomatist, Dr Bhushan Patwardhan, Vice-Chairperson, University Grants Commission, said, “This is for the first time that we are talking about internationalisation of our education system. It was not on agenda in the past 34 years. Now, policy support is there. This will give a good impetus to internationalisation of the Indian education system. The focus is not only on students’ mobility but also on Indian students becoming global citizens as part of the new policy.”

India will be promoted as a global study destination providing premium education at affordable costs thereby helping to restore its role as a Vishwa Guru. “An International Students Office at each Higher Education Institution (HEI) hosting foreign students will be set up to coordinate all matters relating to welcoming and supporting students arriving from abroad,” according to the NEP 2020.

Regional cooperation and South Asian University

South Asian University (SAU), an international varsity set up by the member nations of South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) viz. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, has made rapid strides since it began operations in 2010 in New Delhi.