National, August 2024: The UK’s University of Southampton, world top 100 university, has become the first UK university to be granted a licence by the Indian government to establish a comprehensive campus in the country.
The granting of a licence from the University Grants Commission (UGC) marks a significant step forward, allowing the University of Southampton to progress with its plans to offer world-leading education, research, knowledge exchange, and enterprise in India.
The University has been active in India for more than 50 years and has developed deep and mutually beneficial partnerships. The upcoming campus will enable the University of Southampton to build on these links by amplifying research collaboration and impact, extending teaching partnerships, creating two-way student and staff mobility, and ensuring local civic and community engagement. It aims to develop world-class, work-prepared graduates with specialist and transferable higher skills that will enhance India’s fast-growing knowledge economy. The campus will undertake research and knowledge exchange in partnership with local universities, industries, and government, applying the results to deliver real-world social and economic impact, and enable a more entrepreneurial and innovative country.
Speaking on the announcement, Mark E. Smith, President, and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton, said: “In the 21st century, no university can be truly global without engaging with India. Our intention is to establish a campus that delivers social value and economic impact to India and the university by bringing together Southampton’s world class activities in education, research, and knowledge exchange and enterprise, with all the talent of the rising global superpower that is India.”
He further added, “Through this new campus, the University of Southampton will help deliver a critical element of the Government of India’s transformative agenda, playing our part in harnessing the potential, talent and capabilities of Indian youth.”
Professor Andrew Atherton, Vice-President International and Engagement, said: “University of Southampton Delhi NCR will be the first comprehensive international campus in India. It will foster academic collaboration and bring an international dimension to the Indian higher education system, opening up opportunities to study for a top 100 degree in-country.
“We will develop world-class, work-ready graduates with specialist and transferable skills that will enhance India’s fast-growing knowledge economy. We will undertake research and knowledge exchange in partnership with local universities, industries and government and apply the results to deliver real-world social and economic impact.
“This is a hugely exciting initiative for India, and our university, and we thank the University Grants Commission of India, the Ministry of Education, the British High Commission, the Indian High Commission, and the British Council, for their confidence in our application” he added.
Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, said:
“The new University of Southampton campus will be a centre of world-class education and innovation. It will also give more British students the chance to have the incredible experience of living and studying in India.
“This exciting collaboration will foster educational excellence and further strengthen the unique living bridge that connects our two countries.”
Alison Barrett MBE, Director India, British Council, added:
“The University of Southampton’s decision to establish a campus in India is a testament to the thriving education partnership between India and the UK.
“This landmark development marks our shared commitment to the internationalisation of education, research and innovation as set out in the National Education Policy 2020. It reinforces our belief that education is a powerful catalyst for building bridges and cross-cultural understanding between nations and shaping a brighter future for young people.”