A delegation of vice-chancellors of 20 leading universities from the United Kingdom visited New Delhi to explore opportunities of mutual interest in the higher education sector with Indian stakeholders, including the government and the institutes.
"Through the VC delegation, UK Universities aim to work closely with Indian stakeholders in the higher education sector to further strengthen the relationship and identify shared priorities for future collaboration," Sir Steve Smith, Chair, Universities UK International said.
The aim of the programme is to closely understand the vision and priority areas of the Indian central government, state governments and the higher education institutes to assess the role UK universities and the country can play in the context of new education policies.
"The internationalisation agenda is critical to both nations and the delegation's discussions with the Indian stakeholders will focus on outcomes related to three key areas – internationalisation of higher education institutions, research collaborations and student mobility in both directions between our countries," Director (North), British Council India, Tom Birtwistle said.
The visit is part of a higher education-focused bilateral programme – the UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI) – helmed by the British Council.
UKIERI is India's first bilateral research programme that enables Indian and UK governments, and their universities, to work closely in the areas of higher education, a British Council statement read.