NEW DELHI: In an effort toward internationalisation of Indian higher education by the government, 48 foreign universities responded positively to University Grants Commission’s (UGC) new guidelines for twinning, joint degree, and dual degree programmes between Indian and foreign universities.
University of Glasgow, Scotland, expressed its interest in academic collaboration, and Deakin University, Australia, stated that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is a progressive policy to establish new relations with Indian institutions. Many foreign higher education institutions expressed interest in setting up satellite campuses in India in response to UGC reaching out to them.
In April 2020, UGC introduced regulations for Indian universities to collaborate with their foreign counterparts to offer joint, twinning or dual degree programs. As per new guidelines, students will be able to earn a dual degree conferred by Indian and foreign higher educational institutions, separately and simultaneously.
The University of Queensland, Australia, is meeting UGC officials in August for potential collaboration, According to UGC, a university from France has committed to set up a satellite centre in India soon. The University of Tokyo stated that the proposal is attractive and interested to be taken among all institutions in Japan. The University of Cambridge also stated its interest in NEP and is looking for new partnerships.
Bangor University, Wales, SOAS University of London, and the University of Manchester expressed their interest to discuss UGC Policy and support for twinning arrangements. Similar responses were received from the University of Jena, Germany and Durban University of Technology, South Africa.
