Ministry of Education Grants LoI to University of Southampton to Establish First International Campus in India

New Delhi: In a  move toward internationalizing education under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Ministry of Education has issued a Letter of Intent (LoI) to the University of Southampton (UoS), UK, allowing them to establish their first-ever campus in India. Ranked among the top 100 higher education institutions globally, the UoS campus will offer Indian students a unique opportunity for global exposure while receiving an education grounded in Indian values.

The issuance of the LoI took place during an event titled “Internationalization of Education under NEP 2020” held in New Delhi. This marks the first foreign university to receive such approval under the UGC Regulations for establishing Indian campuses of foreign universities.

Union Minister for External Affairs, Dr. S. Jaishankar, who graced the occasion, expressed his satisfaction with the initiative, stating, “This reflects the vision of elevating India’s educational standards to global levels while strengthening India-UK cooperation.” He emphasized that this endeavor will prepare India’s youth for global opportunities and foster a spirit of international collaboration.

Dr. Jaishankar also highlighted the initiative as a key step in enhancing India’s international footprint in education, ensuring that new technologies and emerging global demands align with the country’s development goals. He referenced the India-UK Road Map 2030 and major initiatives like the MoU on Mutual Recognition of Academic Qualifications and the Young Professionals Scheme (YPS), which aim to strengthen educational ties between the two nations.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in a message shared on X (formerly Twitter), called this initiative a significant move towards achieving the goal of “internationalization at home” as envisioned in NEP 2020. He added that India is committed to becoming a global education hub, emphasizing that the entry of renowned foreign universities into the country will not only expand educational opportunities but foster a robust ecosystem of research, knowledge exchange, and collaboration.

Sanjay Murthy, Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, stated that since the launch of NEP 2020, the Ministry has been implementing reforms to ensure inclusive, equitable, and globally competitive education. He highlighted the UGC regulations enabling joint and twinning programs between Indian and foreign higher education institutions, further opening doors for international students.

Professor Andrew Atherton, Vice-President of International Affairs at UoS, announced that University of Southampton Delhi would be the institution’s first comprehensive international campus. He said it would create world-class graduates equipped with skills to contribute to India’s growing knowledge economy. The campus will initially offer programs in business management, computing, law, engineering, and biosciences, with a 10-year course rollout plan.