Higher Education Minister M.C. Sudhakar said that several universities in the United Kingdom are keen to set up campuses in Bengaluru, following the Karnataka delegation’s talks with the heads of various U.K. universities.
When quizzed on the State Education Policy (SEP) Commission’s recommendation to not allow any foreign university to establish campuses in the State, the Minister said that the government was not against internationalisation of higher education.
“This aspect was not part of the Terms of Reference (ToR) given to the SEP Commission. We have not analysed the report yet as it is being reviewed by the expert committee,” he said.
Defending the move to allow foreign universities to set up campuses in Karnataka, Dr. Sudhakar said that it presented a great opportunity for our students to obtain a degree of the same quality at a lower tuition fee from a foreign university.
“We already have a University of Liverpool and Harrow School setting up campuses in Bengaluru. Additionally, we are in talks with one more university that is showing interest in opening a campus in Bengaluru. The university has applied to the University Grants Commission [UGC] for permission. Many institutions are keen to come to Bengaluru,” he said.
Expand scholarships
Karnataka has also requested the U.K. to expand the coverage of programmes like Chevening scholarships and the Scholars for Outstanding Undergraduate Talent (SCOUT) programme in the State. “Chevening currently has five members from Karnataka, and SCOUT covers 30 students. We have requested to increase the numbers for Karnataka,” Dr. Sudhakar said.
U.K. keen to partner
Prof. Sir Steve Smith, the U.K. government’s International Education Champion, said that the long-term objectives of the U.K., Karnataka and India for transnational educational partnerships align as we enter a time of rapid technological change.
“Karnataka is one among the top pioneering States of India, and we have seen great progress in the U.K.-Karnataka education partnerships, such as Imperial College London opening a new research hub or the University of Liverpool setting up its international branch campus — both in Bengaluru,” he said.
