The chief executive of India Business Group, Amarjit Singh, has accepted an invite to join the international advisory board of the global education experts, QS IGAUGE – India’s first nationwide education rating system.

QS IGAUGE is a subsidiary of UK based QS Quacquarelli Symonds. It is a world leader in rankings, ratings, and analytics services. QS plays a key role in providing insights to the global higher education sector. QS’s mission is to enable motivated people anywhere in the world to fulfil their potential through educational achievement, international mobility, and career development.

QS IGAUGE is a private sector initiative to rate universities, colleges, and schools in India to promote international excellence. It brings together the global expertise, experience of QS, along with deep local knowledge of luminaries from Indian education.

Singh, a lawyer, and recognised thought-leader on India-UK business, said he was delighted to be invited to join the advisory board.

“QS IGAUGE is the epitome of setting high standards in education, and it is an honour to be invited to join its advisory board. Indians are passionate about education, and we are taught from the moment we can walk that education is all-important. What QS IGAUGE does is to showcase the best of the best when it comes to education around the world, and if I can play a small role in advising institutions, I am truly humbled.”, said Singh.

Last July, India unveiled its new national educational policy. For the first time, the government will allow the top 100 universities in the world to open campuses in India.

“This is really an inspirational move,” said the IBG CEO. He also added “India and the UK already have established links through a centuries old common and shared history, common and shared culture and common laws. But here is the thing. The world-wide pandemic has limited global movement, and that will continue for some years to come. It is a big opportunity for anyone who is willing to grasp it.

Singh also added, “What the Indian government has said to the world is this; come and set up campuses here and you will have the benefit of accessing the finest brains in the world. For UK universities, this is an opportunity to maximise links. They can teach in India, and the world class universities will offer exchange programmes between Indian and British students.”

Currently, 18 UK universities are ranked in the top 100 of QS World University Rankings, among them is the University of Southampton where Singh is its special adviser for India.

“We are delighted that Amarjit has accepted our invitation to join our board of advisers,” said Dr Ashwin Fernandes, CEO, and Director of QS IGAUGE. He further elaborated, “What he brings is an expertise in law and international relations. He has been mentoring various global organisations on a range of issues including business strategy, market research, international business development and contractual matters.

“Not only that, Amarjit, has been offering business advisory services and unrivalled expertise in introducing and partnering British and Indian businesses. I know he will be an asset to us. As an organisation contributing to the knowledge space in India, we have ambitious plans to engage with higher education institutions and students with some key initiatives in collaboration with Amarjit. I am really excited to have him as part of the QS IGAUGE Advisory board”.

Singh’s appointment comes just four weeks (6 February 2021) after the UK government published its international education strategy to promote global educational links. Launched by the education and international trade secretaries, the strategy states, “Tens of thousands of students will be able to undertake study and work placements across the world through the new Turing scheme.

The scheme will be backed by over £100 million, providing funding for around 35,000 students in universities, colleges and schools to go on placements overseas, starting in September 2021, and we expect to see similar numbers of students coming to the UK in return.”

The IBG chief executive believes the British government’s strategy will be a game changer in India-UK educational relations. He said that “What this strategy tells us is that the UK is open for education. What India’s new education policy tells us is that India is open for education. This is a true win-win.”

“Working with QS IGAUGE can only create opportunities and strengthen existing partnerships by providing that stamp of quality which mark out the best schools, colleges and universities in the world.”, concluded Singh.