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The Hindu
a day ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Are foreign university campuses in India truly beneficial?
Every year, thousands of Indian students pursue higher education abroad, with the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia being among the top choices. According to data from the Ministry of Education, the number of Indian students studying overseas increased by 52.2% over five years; from 586,337 in 2019 to 892,989 in 2023. This is due to several factors: the perception of receiving a globally recognised, high-quality education at top-ranked universities; access to cutting-edge research facilities; improved career prospects; international exposure; better job opportunities and higher salaries; a superior quality of life; and relatively smoother immigration processes. Studies indicate that over 75% of Indian students who study abroad intend to work and settle in their host countries, with only a small fraction planning to return to India. This suggests that such students have already considered critical questions such as: What are the advantages of earning a degree from a foreign university? What career opportunities will it open up? New questions Now, with some foreign universities setting up campuses in India, aspiring students are beginning to ask a new set of questions: What are the benefits of earning a degree from an international university's Indian campus? Is it as valuable as studying at the main campus abroad? Will it offer the same academic experience and career prospects? The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 supports the establishment of independent campuses by foreign universities in India and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan recently announced that 15 international universities will set up campuses in the country during the current academic year. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has already issued Letters of Intent (LoI) to some institutions, including the University of Liverpool and to the University of Aberdeen to set up branch campuses in Bangalore and Mumbai respectively. According to the specified guidelines, foreign universities seeking entry into India must rank among the top 500 globally, demonstrate subject-specific expertise, and be duly recognised in their home countries to offer academic and research programmes. They will have autonomy in designing their curriculum, managing admissions, setting fee structures and are authorised to award internationally recognised degrees. Foreign universities stand to gain significantly by entering the Indian education sector as they can expand their global footprint, enjoy academic and administrative autonomy, and offer international degrees within India. The presence of top-ranked foreign university campuses in India is also expected to bring several advantages to the country. It can introduce world-class education; help raise domestic academic standards to global levels and promote knowledge exchange. Participation in conferences organised by these institutions can provide Indian scholars with valuable exposure and enriching learning experiences. Moreover, Indian students will be able to earn foreign degrees without going abroad, thereby helping retain talent within the country. Local needs and priorities But one must also ask: who are the actual beneficiaries? Will these branch campuses cater exclusively to the elite? Will academically gifted students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds have an opportunity to gain admission? In a country where millions of young people struggle to access higher education — or are unable to pursue it due to financial constraints — this initiative risks neglecting local needs and priorities. With regard to bringing world-class education to India, any foreign university setting up a campus here is primarily driven by monetary interests, and the focus is likely to be on profit rather than academic excellence. This opens the door to the commercialisation of education, reducing it to a commodity rather than upholding it as a service. Foreign university branch campuses in India risk becoming symbols of elitism rather than instruments of equality or social justice. A truly vibrant campus is one that embraces equality, upholds social justice, and celebrates diversity and inclusiveness. On a typical Indian campus, students from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds come together, interact, and learn from one another. This environment helps everyone become sensitive to the needs of one another and empathetic. A foreign campus in India is unlikely to foster or reflect this kind of inclusive environment. Introducing foreign university campuses should lead to reforms in the education sector, not widen inequality. It is misguided to claim that graduates from foreign university campuses in India will help reduce brain drain. On the contrary, a degree from a foreign university can serve as a stepping stone and increase the chances for those who aspire to work abroad. If the purpose of inviting foreign universities to set up branch campuses in India is to bring world-class education, develop global citizens, and transform the country into a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) by 2047, the focus must be on addressing local needs, particularly by enabling economically and socially disadvantaged groups to access higher education and by improving the overall quality of education. That is what will lead to true transformation. Let us not forget: all that glitters is not gold. The writer is an ELT resource person and education columnist. Email: rayanal@
Business Upturn
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Upturn
The European Space Agency and Dassault Aviation paving the way for potential collaborations
PRESS RELEASE June 20, 2025 The European Space Agency and Dassault Aviation paving the way for potential collaborations ESA and Dassault Aviation have identified a mutual interest in developing a closer relationship to commonly foster technology development in areas such as LEO destinations and particularly around orbital vehicules. The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Dassault Aviation, a French civilian and military aircraft manufacturer recognized worldwide for its excellence, underlying their common interest to develop a closer relationship. ESA, with its ambitious strategy for space exploration, Explore2040, is seeking innovative solutions for capabilities development to reach and return from Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Moon and Mars, and supports the advancement of selected critical enabling technologies to be used and demonstrated in particular in LEO, such as hypervelocity re-entry. Dassault Aviation, also a leader in aerospace engineering, is developing its space activities with a focus on the design of a reusable spaceplane based on lifting bodies shapes that bridge aeronautical and space technologies. Their interest in automated LEO platforms suitable for commercial and institutional markets, led them to develop a vehicle concept called ' Véhicule Orbital Réutilisable de Transport et d'Exploration (VORTEX) ', designed for research in space, transport of cargo to and from space stations, and a range of in-orbit services. This project is based on a considerable expertise in spaceplanes having participated in numerous programmes like Hermes, NASA X-38 Crew Rescue vehicle, ESA Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) demonstrator, and Airborne Reusable Hypersonic Experimental Vehicle (VEHRA) concepts. ' Dassault Aviation's decades of expertise in aeronautical and space systems, perfectly position them to pioneer critical space technologies ', said Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency. ' With VORTEX, Dassault is contributing to strengthening European capacities and securing sovereign access to space in a strongly growing and competitive space sector. We look forward to combining our expertise and working hand-in-hand for a stronger Europe in space.' ' Our Vortex roadmap aims to strengthen Europe's essential sovereign capabilities and meet the new challenges of the space economy. This letter of intent is a perfect recognition of the complementary expertise of the European Space Agency and Dassault Aviation in the development of critical technologies and innovative space solutions, ' declared Eric Trappier, Chaiman and CEO of Dassault Aviation. As such, the signatories of the LoI, have identified a mutual interest in developing a closer relationship with the potential to commonly derisking critical technologies as well as to further explore the potential for collaboration in areas such as LEO destinations and particularly around orbital vehicules. As such, both foresee an interest to cooperate on a scaled down suborbital version of VORTEX, serving as a testbed, with a focus on, but not limited to: Designing, testing and qualifying key technologies and components. New materials and integration processes. Assessing the feasibility to include future payloads in case of the integration of a dedicated bay on the end-product. This joint work will be based on exchanging relevant information and conducting studies or preparatory activities, to help establish respective roles and responsibilities in the realisation of potential joint activities, leveraging on each side's capabilities. ' Europe benefits from a wide range of diverse and complementary skills. Enlarging the European industrial base is key for new opportunities arising in Space Exploration, aiming at more autonomy,' said Daniel Neuenschwander, Director of Human and Robotic Exploration at ESA. About the European Space Agency The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe's gateway to is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. ESA has 23 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia are Associate Members. ESA has established formal cooperation with other four Member States of the EU. Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement. By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. It is working in particular with the EU on advancing the Galileo and Copernicus programmes as well as with Eumetsat for the development of meteorological missions. Learn more about ESA at
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Leviathan Gold to acquire 100% interest in Botswanian copper and uranium assets
Leviathan Gold has signed a non-binding letter of intent (LoI) with Cura Exploration Botswana to acquire a 100% interest in a significant copper and uranium exploration portfolio in Botswana. This move comes through the acquisition of all issued and outstanding securities of Privco, which holds the prospecting licences in the region. Privco is currently party to share purchase agreements (SPA) for the purchase of all shares of the AfriMetals Entities, which possess the Central Project land package adjacent to MMG's Khoemacau deposits. These deposits boast substantial mineral resources and were acquired by MMG for $1.9bn (A$2.93bn) in 2023. The AfriMetals Entities also hold a comprehensive portfolio of uranium prospecting licences in Botswana. The Serule Uranium Project is located next to the Letlhakane Uranium Project, which Lotus Resources acquired in 2023. Recent drilling at Serule has indicated a mineralised zone more than 4km wide. Under the proposed terms, Leviathan Gold will issue 35,000,000 common shares and 5,500,000 share purchase warrants in exchange for Privco shares and warrants. The company will also assume the obligation to pay milestone payments to the sellers, potentially issuing up to an additional 16,500,000 Leviathan Shares. The proposed transaction is subject to the completion of due diligence within 60 days from the LoI and the finalisation of a definitive agreement. If completed, Privco's former shareholders would own approximately 35% of Leviathan Gold, or 38.5% if all warrants are exercised. The transaction is expected to be executed through a "three-cornered" amalgamation with a wholly owned subsidiary of Leviathan and is subject to restrictions and policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. Leviathan Gold president and CEO Luke Norman said: 'The proposed acquisition by Leviathan of Privco would result in Leviathan adding to its portfolio of mineral assets the highly strategic and yet under-explored Central Project directly adjoining MMG's world-class Khoemacau 'Cluster' of copper deposits on the Kalahari Copper Belt – with which Central appears to share important geophysical, structural and stratigraphic indicators – places Leviathan in pole position to make a major copper discovery in mining-friendly Botswana.' Under the terms of the SPAs, Privco must fulfil financial obligations that include not only the milestone payments but also a total cash payment of $2.2m. To date, Privco has already paid $390,000.01 of this amount to the sellers. Furthermore, Privco has spent C$93,000 on the creation of technical reports in compliance with National Instrument 43-101, which sets the disclosure standards for mineral project reporting, concerning the properties in question. "Leviathan Gold to acquire 100% interest in Botswanian copper and uranium assets" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
‘A homecoming for me': Aberdeen Vice Principal Siladitya Bhattacharya on India plans and academic vision
The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Saturday formally granted the University of Aberdeen a Letter of Intent (LoI), allowing it to move forward with its proposal to establish a branch campus in Mumbai. Targeted for launch in September 2026, the campus marks a historic milestone, becoming the first Scottish university to be granted such permission in India. The LoI was awarded during a special ceremony in Mumbai hosted by the Government of India on 14 June, symbolising growing educational cooperation between the two nations. The initiative builds on Aberdeen's long-standing ties with India, forged through collaborations with over 200 institutions, including IITs, AIIMS, ICAR, Manipal Academy, and Delhi University. The proposed Mumbai campus is expected to launch with programmes in Computing and Data Science, Business Management, Economics, Artificial Intelligence, and an MBA. Future offerings may include Public Health, Mathematics, Psychology, Film Studies, and International Business—areas of mutual strategic interest. On this significant occasion, Professor Siladitya Bhattacharya, Vice-Principal for Global Engagement at the University of Aberdeen, spoke exclusively to Hindustan Times Digital about the university's India ambitions, academic vision, and what Indian students can expect. It's great to know that the University of Aberdeen is coming to India. What's exciting about this move, especially the decision to set up campus in Maharashtra? Thank you. Today is an important milestone for us. We've received a Letter of Intent from the University Grants Commission, granting us provisional approval to move ahead with our proposal to establish a campus in Mumbai. This signals our serious intent and marks the beginning of a significant journey. Our vision is to bring the quality, heritage, and ambition of a 500-year-old institution into a dynamic new setting. We want to learn from our students around the world while embracing the current globally connected knowledge ecosystem. We plan to begin with key programs in business and computing. Over time, we hope to expand into areas like public health, psychology, and even Film Studies—particularly fitting for Mumbai. A large share of our students at the Aberdeen campus come from around the world. Many want an Aberdeen degree, but not all can afford to travel to Northern Scotland. Thanks to support from both the central and Maharashtra governments, we now have the opportunity to bring our programs closer to students here. To understand that, we need to look back. We're a 500-year-old university with a global outlook. That ethos of openness remains central to our identity. Our current strategy, Aberdeen 2040, prioritises international, inclusive, sustainable, and interdisciplinary education. Our core purpose is to be open to all. With India's youthful demographic, this move aligns perfectly with our mission—to take our academic model to where the students are. Our programs reflect our values: inclusivity, internationalism, sustainability—both environmental and financial—and interdisciplinarity. Today's students don't just want pure specialisations. Business intersects with AI, entrepreneurship, and finance. Public health connects with management, global health, and even sports and exercise science. AI cuts across disciplines from hard sciences to the humanities. We also offer flexibility. At our home campus, students have the freedom to explore subjects before choosing their specialisation, thanks to Scotland's four-year undergraduate model. Students specialise in 3rd and 4th year. Our structure allows for flexibility through a combination of broad-based courses and specialised modules. We introduce research methods early, so students are prepared not just for jobs that exist today but also for careers that may not even exist yet. Sure. In medicine, for instance, we encourage students to explore humanities subjects like literature or art history. This creates well-rounded professionals who don't just extend life but understand its deeper value. That's the kind of education we believe in. That's where education needs to evolve. In a world where facts are instantly accessible, what truly matters is critical thinking—the ability to make informed, value-based decisions. Our teaching and assessments focus on analytical skills and real-world application, rather than rote memorisation. Medical programs in Scotland run for five years plus clinical training. In India, we plan to welcome our first batch in September 2026, starting with business and computing programs. Initially, we'll operate from a leased, fully fitted campus due to the timelines. We expect to begin with about 100 or so students and scale up year by year. Within two to three years, we'll assess the need for a permanent campus. We'll recruit faculty through a local entity, with some visiting from Scotland. However, most will be based in India and hired globally. Many will likely be Indian—after all, India already supplies talent to institutions worldwide. Quality is non-negotiable. All programs in India will go through the same rigorous approval and audit process as those in Aberdeen. Faculty will be vetted, and programs will be reviewed by academic oversight panels. The UGC also mandates parity, and we fully support that. Yes. We offer short-term academic exchanges. Students at the India campus will receive the same Aberdeen degree. Those who want the full Scottish experience are welcome to apply directly to our UK campus as international students. We're carefully studying the Indian market. This isn't about profit—it's about creating access. We plan to offer scholarships based on merit and financial need, just as we do in Aberdeen. Details are still being finalised. It's too early to say. Right now, we're focused on getting the Mumbai campus right. But we're excited about future possibilities. It's deeply personal. I was born in India and studied abroad. This feels like a homecoming. I'm proud to be part of this initiative. A few hundred postgraduates. We've had Indian students for decades, but numbers have grown significantly in the last five years. It will be equivalent and aligned. We may adapt certain elements to reflect local cultural or legal norms, but the quality and academic rigour will be the same. The Mumbai campus will be subject to the same academic scrutiny as Aberdeen. Research is integral. Undergraduate and postgraduate students will engage in dissertations. We'll build a research cohort over time, including PhD students. We're already in touch with India's National Research Foundation and are collaborating with Indian co-investigators on several grants. Our vision for students enrolled in the Branch campus is to offer an excellent education in Mumbai and a University of Aberdeen degree. We are exploring the option of short exchange visits to Scotland. Absolutely. Students who want that full cultural experience can apply to study at our UK campus. Students in India will receive the same degree—without needing to relocate. We're assessing affordability. All foreign universities are navigating this new Indian model. We're committed to keeping costs reasonable and offering scholarships to deserving students. This is not a revenue-maximising exercise. They'll be designed for the Indian context. We plan to reserve a portion of seats for scholarships, with selection based on merit or need. The details are still being worked out.
India Today
15-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
York, UWA, IIT Chicago among 5 foreign institutes coming to India
As a major leap towards redesigning the higher education ecosystem in India, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has officially given out Letters of Intent (LoIs) to five foreign universities, authorising them to open campuses in India. This is a key milestone as per the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which invites global institutions to impart international educational opportunities to students in LoI handover ceremony took place in Mumbai in the presence of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, acting UGC Chairperson Vineet Joshi, and officials from participating UNIVERSITIES WHICH WERE HANDED OVER THE LOLS ARE:University of York (UK) University of Western Australia (UWA)University of Aberdeen (UK)Illinois Institute of Technology (USA)IED Istituto Europeo di Design (Italy)Such institutions are to establish their campuses mainly in Navi Mumbai as part of a master-planned International Education City close to the new Navi Mumbai International Airport. CIDCO-led and supported by the Maharashtra government, the project will create a 5-kilometre educational corridor where foreign universities will open undergraduate and postgraduate UWA is also constructing a second campus in Chennai to extend its academic presence in University of Aberdeen, which is one of Scotland's oldest universities, is the first Scottish university to be given such permission in India. Its bid will now be presented before the university's governing council next month for institutions will take 18 months to set up their campuses and are expected to start enroling students by late FOREIGN UNIVERISTIES IN INDIABesides these five universities, other foreign universities have already begun making plans to set up campuses in University of Southampton will start its inaugural admission cycle in Gurgaon this fall, and the University of Liverpool is ready to open its Bengaluru campus by September increased interest from international institutions highlights India's role as an international education hub. With the world's best universities opening up shop on Indian ground, students will no longer need to travel abroad for global-standard education -- making it all accessible from Watch
