NITI Aayog Unveils Major Report on Globalizing Higher Education in India
NITI Aayog has released a groundbreaking policy report titled ‘Internationalisation of Higher Education in India: Prospects, Potential, and Policy Recommendations.’ This document was launched by top officials from NITI Aayog, including Vice Chairman Shri Suman Bery, Member Dr. V.K. Paul, Member Dr. Arvind Virmani, and CEO Shri B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, along with Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, and AICTE Chairman Prof. Sitharam.
The report marks a significant collaborative effort between NITI Aayog and a consortium led by IIT Madras, positioning itself as a pioneering publication for the Global South. It aligns with the ‘internationalisation at home’ initiative outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The document delves into various strategies for enhancing academic mobility and fostering global academic-rank collaborations.
Through a detailed examination of the trends in international academic mobility over the last two decades, the report identifies unique opportunities for improving mobility among students and faculty, along with the establishment of international campuses in India and abroad.
Gathering extensive data, the report is based on responses from 160 higher education institutions across 24 states, incorporating insights from over 140 participants in a National Workshop at IIT Madras. Additionally, interviews with experts from 30 international institutions provided valuable global viewpoints.
During the launch, Shri Suman Bery emphasized that advocating for internationalisation in higher education could bolster India’s soft power on the global stage. Dr. Paul highlighted the report’s relevance to NEP implementation, aiming to welcome 100,000 international students into Indian Central and State universities by 2030.
Dr. Virmani pointed out that international scholars who have experienced the Indian education system could significantly contribute to global and domestic growth. He advocated for enhanced international partnerships to strengthen India’s doctoral programs.
Shri B.V.R. Subrahmanyam discussed the various advantages of internationalising India’s higher education landscape. He mentioned its potential to elevate the quality of educational programs, reduce foreign exchange outflow, and create more opportunities for research collaborations. He also stressed the importance of private universities in this initiative and the support necessary from the government to ease regulations.
Dr. Vineet Joshi remarked that the collaboration between public and private universities is essential for India to evolve into a global education hub, with initiatives under NEP serving as a vital foundation. He noted that existing UGC Regulations have already attracted several international institutions to India, and praised the report for outlining 76 actionable pathways aimed at achieving internationalisation targets by 2047.
Prof. Sitharam of AICTE urged India to become a talent magnet for students from the Global South, particularly in the fields of engineering, technology, and management.
The report comprises 22 policy recommendations, 76 action pathways, and 125 performance indicators focused on five thematic areas: Strategy, Regulation, Finance, Branding, Communication & Outreach, and Curriculum & Culture, all targeting the advancement of India into a global hub for higher education and research by the year 2047.
For those interested, the full report is available here, and the policy brief can be accessed here.
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