New Delhi: NITI Aayog on Monday released a comprehensive policy report charting a long-term roadmap to internationalise India’s higher education system, with the vision of transforming the country into a global education and research hub by 2047.
The report, titled Internationalisation of Higher Education in India: Prospects, Potential, and Policy Recommendations, aligns closely with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and places significant emphasis on “internationalisation at home,” promoting global exposure within Indian institutions without requiring students to go abroad.
High-Level Launch
The report was unveiled by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery, along with Members V.K. Paul and Arvind Virmani, and CEO B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, in the presence of Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi and AICTE Chairman T.G. Sitharam.
Prepared in collaboration with an IIT Madras-led consortium, the study examines internationalisation at global, national, and institutional levels. It analyses trends in academic mobility over the past two decades and identifies opportunities to enhance student and faculty exchanges, strengthen international research collaboration, and establish foreign university campuses in India as well as Indian campuses abroad.
Insights from Research and Stakeholder Consultations
The study incorporates inputs from a nationwide survey of 160 higher education institutions across 24 states, feedback from 140 national and international stakeholders at a workshop held at IIT Madras, and interviews with experts from 30 institutions across 16 countries.
During the launch, Suman Bery highlighted both the business and diplomatic importance of internationalising India’s higher education, noting its potential as a tool of India’s soft power. V.K. Paul connected the recommendations to NEP implementation and India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, setting a target of hosting one lakh international students in central and state universities by 2030.
Arvind Virmani underlined the long-term academic and economic advantages of international students trained in India, emphasizing the need to strengthen doctoral programmes through global partnerships. B.V.R. Subrahmanyam noted that internationalisation could enhance course quality, reduce foreign exchange outflow, expand research collaborations, and highlighted the pivotal role of private universities, the Indian diaspora, and regulatory simplification.
Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi stressed the need for collaboration between public and private institutions, pointing out that recent UGC regulations had already facilitated the entry of nearly 13 international universities. AICTE Chairman T.G. Sitharam added that India must position itself as a talent magnet, particularly for students from the Global South.
Key Recommendations
The report outlines 22 policy recommendations supported by 76 action pathways and 125 performance indicators, covering five thematic areas:
- Strategy: Long-term planning and global positioning of Indian universities.
- Regulation: Simplifying legal and accreditation frameworks for foreign and Indian campuses.
- Finance: Funding models to attract international students and promote research collaboration.
- Branding & Outreach: Strengthening India’s global image as a premier education hub.
- Curriculum & Culture: Fostering internationalisation within courses, research, and institutional culture.
The report aims to accelerate the global integration of India’s higher education ecosystem, improving quality, attracting talent, and leveraging India’s position in the global knowledge economy.
About NITI Aayog
NITI Aayog, the Government of India’s policy think tank, works to foster strategic planning, economic development, and evidence-based policy making. Through initiatives like this report, NITI Aayog aims to position India as a global leader in education and research, aligning long-term policy frameworks with national development goals.
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