UGC Issues Letter of Intent to University of Southampton for Establishing India Campus Under NEP 2020

The Letter of Intent was handed over in New Delhi by UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar in the presence of External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, marking a notable step forward in expanding the presence of foreign universities in India.

Addressing the event, Dr S Jaishankar described the occasion as a reflection of the strong and multifaceted bilateral relationship between India and the United Kingdom, emphasising education as a key pillar of this partnership. He stated that at the core of this progress lies the National Education Policy 2020, which promotes internationalisation and seeks to position India as a global leader in education.

The External Affairs Minister further noted that NEP 2020 is not merely a policy framework but a forward-looking vision for the future of education in India. He highlighted that the policy aims to elevate academic standards to global benchmarks, transform India into a hub of educational excellence, attract international students, facilitate the establishment of foreign university campuses, and enhance global competencies among Indian students and faculty. He added that this initiative will strengthen India’s international footprint in the global education sector.

The event was also attended by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, British Deputy High Commissioner to India Christina Scott, and Secretary for Higher Education K Sanjay Murthy, underscoring the diplomatic and institutional significance of the initiative.

The development represents a strategic milestone in India’s effort to integrate its higher education system with global institutions, reinforcing its ambition under NEP 2020 to emerge as a leading global education destination.