Karnataka woos UK universities, discusses partnerships

Bengaluru: Setting aside a major recommendation of the State Education Policy (SEP) Commission on not entertaining foreign universities starting campuses in Karnataka, a state government delegation is in the United Kingdom to explore opportunities to strengthen internationalization of higher education.

“We are not against internationalisation of higher education,” Higher Education Minister Dr M C Sudhakar said, after bilateral talks with heads of various UK universities organised by British Council.

The SEP Commission, headed by former University Grants Commission chairperson Sukhadeo Thorat, was set up after the Congress government decided to scrap the Centre’s flagship National Education Policy (NEP) in Karnataka. 

Sudhakar pointed out that SEP Commission’s terms of reference did not include foreign universities. “And, we haven’t analysed the report, which is being reviewed by the experts committee,” he said. 

“We already have University of Liverpool setting up a campus in Bengaluru. The Harrow School is already established in the city. Additionally, we’re in talks with one more university that’s interested in opening a campus in Bengaluru. This institution has applied to the University Grants Commission for permission,” Sudhakar said. 

Allowing the entry of foreign universities would increase competitiveness of private and public institutions, the minister said.

Cheaper fees

“Additionally, it is a great opportunity for our students to get a foreign university degree of the same quality, but at a cheaper tuition fee,” he said. 

The state government has sought expansion of the existing Chevening scholarships and Scholars for Outstanding Undergraduate Talent (SCOUT) programme.

“Chevening currently has five members from Karnataka and SCOUT covers 30 students. We have requested an increase in these numbers for Karnataka,” Sudhakar said, adding that faculty exchanges, twinning programmes and joint research collaborations were being discussed. “We hope to start them soon.”  

UK’s International Education Champion Sir Steve Smith hailed Karnataka as one among the “top pioneering” Indian states.

“We have seen great progress in UK-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. 

(The reporter is visiting the UK at the invitation of the Karnataka State Higher Education Council)