April 07, 2023

Indian Universities Plan to Expand Globally with International Branch Campuses in Africa

R Recent news reports have shown that Indian universities are considering expanding their global reach by establishing international branch campuses in Africa. The University Grants Commission (UGC) of India is encouraging institutions to set up campuses in foreign countries, with African countries, the Gulf region, and Asian countries such as Thailand and Vietnam and they have identified these locations as promising.

India has been intensifying its efforts to internationalise its education system, particularly since the launch of the National Education Policy (NEP) in 2020. The latest move is a giant step towards fulfilling its goal.

The importance of internationalisation in higher education cannot be overstated. It broadens the horizons of both students and faculty, creates opportunities for collaboration and research, and enhances the reputation and competitiveness of institutions. It also benefits the host country by promoting cultural exchange and economic growth, according to a member of India’s UGC.

This strategic move by the UGC and Indian institutions came after discovering a significant presence of the Indian diaspora population in African countries. Additionally, India’s more than 1,000 universities offer a wide range of programs, including highly-reputed IT courses.

…several of India’s prestigious state-owned Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) have already received requests to set up campuses in African countries such as Tanzania and Egypt, and from Middle Eastern and South Asian countries…

Nepal, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh occupy the top three positions in terms of the number of international students studying in Indian universities, according to data portal Statista. Other countries in the top ten list include the US, the UAE, Bhutan, Sudan, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Yemen, with the US being the only country outside the developing world.

Africa has long been seen as a promising destination for international higher education, with several countries in the continent making significant investments in the sector. However, the lack of quality institutions and the high cost of education in some countries have been identified as obstacles to growth. The arrival of Indian universities could help address these issues and contribute to the development of the sector.

Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, Chairman of the UGC, says that there is immense interest in setting up campuses in these countries, but the absence of necessary regulations is currently the main obstacle. However, several of India’s prestigious state-owned Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) have already received requests to set up campuses in African countries such as Tanzania and Egypt, as well as from Middle Eastern and South Asian countries. IIT Delhi is reportedly considering setting up a campus in the UAE, while IIT Madras is exploring options in Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Tanzania. IIT campuses are also in the pipeline in Egypt, Thailand, Malaysia, and the UK.

Despite foreign students enrolling in Indian universities, the number of overseas students has fallen by 2.6% in the last two years, according to data by the All India Survey on Higher Education, as reported by The Indian Express. This decline has been attributed to the lack of employment opportunities for international students who have graduated from Indian universities, unlike in European and North American destinations such as the UK, Germany, the US, and Canada, where they are free to work for a specified period.

The move by Indian universities to set up international branch campuses in Africa is a welcome development that could have far-reaching implications for higher education on the continent. The availability of quality education from reputable institutions could attract more students, create employment opportunities, and enhance the reputation of African universities. However, it is crucial to put in place the necessary regulations to ensure that the interests of both the host country and the institutions are protected.

Posted in News and tagged News, India, Africa, International Branch, University Grants Commission (UGC), Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)
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