This is part of the Indian Government’s Internationalisation of the higher education system, which is one of the key elements of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
India is exploring brand-building not only in the production and small and medium enterprise sector, but it is also seriously looking to expand top-level Indian educational institutions to offshore locations.
The country’s higher education regulator University Grants Commission (UGC), has decided to allow colleges and universities to set up international campuses.
This is part of the Indian Government’s Internationalisation of the higher education system, which is one of the key elements of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
In a recent virtual address, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that some 250 Indian universities have an ‘office of international education’ meant to attract students from abroad.
Every year 48,000 international students join Indian institutes as part of regular admissions or under exchange programmes.
It would be a good idea even if the Indian institutions that show interest in offshore campuses look for Indian origin students either based in those countries or part of the family joining visas due to their parents’ employment in those countries.
As per Education Ministry’s estimates, about 200,000 students opt for foreign universities every year for higher education. This causes an annual outflow of Rs 50,000 crore ($6.7 billion).
In terms of the inbound arrival of foreign students, 48,000 international students join Indian institutes as part of regular admissions or under exchange programmes.
Setting up offshore educational institutions is an ambitious programme of the Government of India. However, the programme has its own challenges as these institutions have to face tough completion from top-class international institutions.
It may, however, a hit among Indians or people of Indian origin living in those countries. Since they know about the high standards of those Indian HEIs (higher education institutions), it would be easy for them to enroll and study, which otherwise would be very difficult.
For the offshore expansion of Indian institutions, West Africa and East Asia may be an ideal destinations for Indian universities. They may target Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria, Taiwan and Mongolia. Many West African and East Asian students go for higher education to international institutions every year.