The University of Southampton has been granted approval by India’s University Grants Commission to establish a branch campus in India, making it the first global top 100 and UK Russell Group university to set-up a campus in the country.
India’s new National Education Policy, published in 2020, has garnered global attention for its commitment to enhance the higher education landscape across India. The new policy developments and innovations in transnational education offer exciting avenues for globally leading institutions to collaborate and develop new models of engagement in-country. As one of the world’s fastest growing economies with over 25 percent of the world’s student population, India is well positioned to become a global talent hub for skilled workforce.
In setting up what is envisaged to be a comprehensive campus, the University of Southampton will adopt a phased expansion leveraging its ‘triple helix’ strategy, which integrates education, research, enterprise and knowledge-transfer. The campus is expected to be located in the National Capital Region, in the vibrant city of Gurugram in the Northern State of Haryana and will provide world class teaching and learning opportunities for students to study on a range of top degree programmes.
India Business Group’s expertise as a leading strategic advisory consultancy working in the UK-India corridor and with its proven track record and networks will assist Southampton with stakeholder engagement, industry liaison and fostering business links.
The new campus supports India’s National Education Policy 2020 which provides an ambitious liberalising agenda with the aim of making India a “global study destination” and “global knowledge superpower”. IBG is already working closely with the University’s senior leadership team and the International Office to support deeper in-country engagement with academia, industry and government.
The proposed campus builds organically on the strategic objectives, leadership and expertise of the University of Southampton India Centre established in March 2019, which reaffirms its long-standing engagement in and with India.
The University of Southampton is firmly committed to addressing cross-cutting global challenges through high quality research and education programmes. Recognised as one of Europe’s most entrepreneurial universities, Southampton has longstanding industry partnerships with globally leading businesses including Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Microsoft and Lloyds Register.
Amarjit Singh, Chief Executive of the India Business Group and an alumnus of the University said:
“This is truly a landmark moment for the rapidly evolving UK and India relationship. IBG is delighted to be working with Southampton as one of its strategic advisory partners. We acknowledge that education, research and innovation are key pillars of the bilateral relationship, and this exciting development will promote academic excellence, engagement with industry and government and strengthen the living bridge between our two great nations”.
Professor Andrew Atherton, Vice President International at the University of Southampton said:
“The University of Southampton is privileged to be granted approval to establish a campus in India. Building on our long standing and deep ties a campus is the logical next step in developing a closer partnership with India. We have worked closely with the India Business Group on certain strategic matters and stakeholder engagement, and we look forward to doing so as the campus develops, and we build even stronger ties with businesses, partners and stakeholders in India.”
