UK's University of Southampton to set up India campus; joins 2 Australian varsities with branches in country

NEW DELHI: The University of Southampton has become the first UK university to be granted a licence by the Indian government establish a campus in the country. As part of the UGC's initiative to invite the top 500 foreign universities to set up campuses in India, the University of Southampton, a globally ranked top 100 university from the UK, has been invited to establish a campus in India.

Fulfilling the vision of NEP 2020, the Letter of Intent has been issued to university in the presence of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. "This reflects both the vision of elevating our educational standards to the highest global levels and delivering on the education pillar of India-UK cooperation", S Jaishankar said.

"Confident that such endeavors will further make our youth world ready and foster a spirit of global understanding and cooperation", the minister added.

In a post on X, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said this initiative is a foot forward towards realising the goal of ‘internationalisation at home’ as envisioned in the NEP 2020.

“Establishment of campuses of foreign universities in India and Indian HEIs abroad is not just about expanding educational opportunities, it is about creating a vibrant ecosystem of research, knowledge exchange and global collaboration. Educational institutions across countries have a responsibility to produce “global citizens” with global ethos who can provide solutions to global challenges,” added Pradhan.

University of Southampton campus to set up in Delhi NCR

University of Southampton Delhi NCR will collaborate with local universities, industries, and government to conduct research and knowledge exchange, aiming to enhance social and economic impact and foster entrepreneurship, the university said.

Professor Mark E Smith, President and Vice-Chancellor of the university said, “Through this new campus, the University of Southampton will help deliver a critical element of the Government of India’s transformative agenda, playing our part in harnessing the potential, talent and capabilities of Indian youth”.

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The new campus will create two-way student and staff mobility

The university claims that it has been active in India for over 50 years, fostering deep and mutually beneficial partnerships. The new campus will allow the University of Southampton to strengthen these connections by enhancing research collaboration and impact, expanding teaching partnerships, promoting two-way student and staff mobility, and ensuring engagement with the local community and civic initiatives.

Currently only two Australian universities have campuses in India

Currently, only two Australian universities—Deakin University and the University of Wollongong—have established branch campuses in India, specifically in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). Furthermore, Malaysia’s Lincoln University College was the first foreign university to submit an application through the University Grants Commission's (UGC) dedicated portal to establish a campus in India.