New Delhi, May 27 – In a significant move toward the internationalization of Indian higher education, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday handed over a Letter of Intent (LoI) to the University of Liverpool, authorizing it to establish a campus in Bengaluru. This milestone marks the second foreign university to receive such approval under the University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations, 2023, which permit foreign institutions to set up campuses in India.
During the handover ceremony in New Delhi, Minister Pradhan highlighted that this step reinforces India’s position as a trusted global partner in higher education. He noted that the move aligns with the visionary goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which seeks to create futuristic, rooted, and globally competitive education systems.
“The implementation of NEP 2020 is central to achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047,” said Pradhan. “R&D and innovation will be key drivers, and partnerships like this one with the University of Liverpool will play a critical role.”
Bengaluru Campus to Launch in 2026
The University of Liverpool is set to begin operations in August 2026, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Business Management, Accounting and Finance, Computer Science, and Biomedical Sciences. Notably, it will also introduce a Game Design programme—a first-of-its-kind offering from a UK university campus in India.
The Bengaluru campus will serve as a research-intensive environment, aiming to tackle both global and local challenges through applied, fundamental, and industry-driven research. The university will also promote student mobility and academic exchange, giving Indian and UK-based students access to international learning experiences.
Strategic Collaborations Signed
In a step towards building strong academia-industry linkages, the event also witnessed the signing of three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between stakeholders and key partners:
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG)
- AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited
- YouWeCan Foundation and Dream11
These collaborations aim to foster innovation, healthcare research, social impact initiatives, and sports-based education.
NEP 2020 Driving India’s Higher Education Reforms
Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, emphasized that the LoI is more than a formal document—it symbolizes India’s transformation in higher education through strategic reforms and global partnerships.
“NEP 2020 prioritizes internationalization and institutional flexibility to keep India competitive in the global education landscape,” said Dr. Joshi.
With the launch of the University of Liverpool’s Bengaluru campus, India takes another firm step toward creating a world-class education ecosystem that is globally integrated, research-driven, and committed to producing skilled, future-ready citizens.
