Internationalization of higher education is a process of integrating an international, intercultural, or global dimension into the purpose, function, or delivery of higher education and international competition for the benefit of foreign students building an impactful international reputation. This was stated by Dr. RK Ranjan Singh, Union Minister of State for Education & External Affairs while speaking at the 5th GEF Summit on the theme “Internationalization of Indian Higher Education” organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday at New Delhi

Dr. Singh further said that with internationalization and competition, innovation and highly skilled professionals have assumed core importance along with the productivity and efficiency of the students. Different parameters, standards, and instruments are being invented day in and day out and being used to test the education system in a country as well as the different stakeholders of education.  

India was a Vishwa Guru during the ancient time of Nalanda and Takshila. In order to ensure sustainable growth National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has been brought with the vision that India takes the role of Viswa Guru again, the Minister added.

Dr. Singh explained that NEP 2020 is all about facilitating research & teaching collaborations, mutually beneficial MOUs with foreign countries, encouraging high performing Indian universities to set up campuses in other countries, setting up of International Student Office at each Higher Education Institution (HEI) for welcoming and supporting students arriving from abroad, counting credits acquired in foreign universities, wherever appropriate as per requirement for each HEI and introducing courses in the subjects, such as Ideology, Indian Languages, AYUSH systems of medicines, yoga, arts, etc.

He also informed that at the Government-to-Government level, the Ministry of Education has signed MoUs/Education Exchange Programs with counterparts in various countries. Further Dr. Ranjan stated that regular engagement is being continued with Multilateral organizations like BRICS, SCO, G20, Arab League, African Union, IORA, SAARC, BIMSTEC, etc. for strengthening educational collaborations with foreign countries as a group. Our Ministry of Education participated in the G20 Education Working Group Meetings and Education Ministers’ Meeting.

While saying that University Grants Commission (UGC) brought in regulations in May 2022 permitting Academic Collaboration between Indian and Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to offer Twinning, Joint Degree, and Dual Degree Programmes, Minister informed that Currently, 230 Indian Universities are eligible to collaborate with foreign HEIs, as per the Regulations. As of now, 43 Indian HEIs have informed us that they have collaborations with Foreign HEIs. 12 HEIs are offering Twinning Degrees, 7 HEIs are offering Joint Degrees and 8 HEIs are offering Dual Degree Programmes.

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