A Pivotal Step Forward: Enhancing India's Higher Education Global Presence

Collaborating for Academic Brilliance: India's Path to Viksit Bharat 2047

The landscape of Indian higher education is evolving rapidly, with global institutions increasingly collaborating to address gaps and elevate academic standards. A significant milestone in this transformation was the one-day National Workshop on the Internationalisation of Higher Education in India, organised by the Education Division of NITI Aayog. Hosted at the prestigious IIT Madras campus on March 29, 2025, the event brought together esteemed knowledge partners, including the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and Acumen.

The workshop aimed to reshape the educational landscape by engaging officers from the Centre, State, and Union Territories (UTs), representatives from institutions of national importance, central universities, state public universities, private universities, deemed universities, international universities, and foreign delegates. Furthermore, it focused on exploring challenges, best practices, and policy interventions necessary to advance internationalisation initiatives within Indian higher education at both systemic and institutional levels, as envisioned in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Dr. Vinod Kumar Paul, Member (Education) at NITI Aayog, chaired the workshop while delivering the keynote and concluding addresses. The event commenced with an inaugural address by Prof. Kamakoti Veezhinathan, Director of IIT Madras, and a welcome note by Dr. Sonia Pant, Programme Director (Education) at NITI Aayog. Key speakers included Prof. Raghunathan Rengaswamy, Dean – Global Engagement at IIT Madras, Dr. Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General of AIU, and Shri Adrian Mutton, Executive Chairman of Acumen. The workshop witnessed active participation from 140 attendees.

The discussions were structured across four technical sessions, which delved into: (i) the internationalisation of Indian higher education, examining its past and prospects; (ii) academic mobility for learning and research; (iii) the internationalisation of curricula and programmes; and (iv) strategies to enhance the global footprint of Indian universities, including the establishment of offshore campuses. Additionally, case studies showcased successful collaborations, such as Indian institutions opening campuses abroad and foreign universities setting up campuses in India, including initiatives at GIFT City. Moreover, country-specific insights from Australia, France, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA enriched the dialogue.

As the discussions unfolded, participants emphasised actionable strategies to enhance infrastructure, streamline regulations, and position India as a global hub for academic collaboration, research, and learning. The workshop proved to be a vital step in India’s endeavour to internationalise higher education, providing valuable inputs for NITI Aayog's ongoing policy study. This study aspires to position Indian institutions as leaders in global academia, foster an India-centric approach to internationalisation, and develop world-class talent, all while aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. The workshop underscored India's resolve to achieve global academic excellence while maintaining a strong India-centric approach.

Editor’s Note:

India is making significant efforts to establish itself as a leading force in the global academic world. The one-day National Workshop on the Internationalisation of Higher Education in India brought together a wealth of expertise, vision, and dedication to transforming the country’s higher education system. The workshop addressed current challenges and outlined a path forward by encouraging partnerships with global institutions and focusing on necessary policy changes. For India to truly become a global academic leader, it’s not enough to just have speeches and policy plans. Real progress will depend on tangible investments in infrastructure, clear regulations, and effective implementation. Additionally, while the goal of "Viksit Bharat 2047" is motivating, it will require consistent political support and cooperation from all levels of government and academic institutions. India's commitment to improving its educational standards is clear, but the real question is whether this dedication will lead to meaningful changes.

Skoobuzz believes that if the recommendations from this workshop are put into action, the dream of seeing Indian institutions leading global academia could become a reality in the near future.