India hosts BRICS Network University Conference to strengthen higher education cooperation

NEW DELHI: The education ministry hosted the International Governing Board (IGB) meeting of the BRICS Network University following a conference on Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge Systems, officials said on Wednesday. The two-day engagement, which began on July 20, brought together government representatives, university leaders, academics and experts from BRICS member countries to strengthen collaboration in higher education, research and innovation.

Representatives from the BRICS member countries, including Brazil, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, along with university leaders, academics and experts, delivered country interventions showcasing national initiatives and best practices.

"The deliberations reaffirmed the collective commitment to strengthening the BRICS Network University through enhanced academic cooperation, collaborative research, institutional partnerships and knowledge exchange," the ministry said in a statement.

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BRICS action plan

"The conference deliberated on the mapping, documentation, preservation and responsible digital dissemination of traditional and indigenous knowledge systems, while emphasising ethical governance, community ownership, equitable benefit-sharing and the responsible use of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence," it said.

The conference also developed guiding principles on strengthening academic collaboration on traditional and indigenous knowledge systems for consideration by the IGB.

The board also reviewed the BRICS Network University Action Plan (2025–2028), discussed the development of the new BRICS-NU website, considered measures to enhance institutional cooperation, academic mobility and collaborative research, and adopted the BRICS Network University International Governing Board Declaration after detailed deliberations.