23/09/2026
𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐔𝐊–𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
The UK–India Higher Education Roundtable, organised by QS at the House of Lords, London, on 22 September, brought together leading voices from the higher education sector to discuss the future of UK–India academic collaboration.
Around 25 leading UK universities participated in the roundtable, alongside Vice Chancellors from six selected Indian universities, including Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE). Dr Sharath K Rao , Vice Chancellor, MAHE, represented the institution at the meeting.
The roundtable, led by Lord Kamalesh Patel and Jessica Turner, Chief Executive Officer, QS, examined the progress and emerging opportunities in UK–India higher education collaboration since the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Discussions focused on strengthening international branch campuses and transnational education, advancing research partnerships, enhancing student and academic mobility, and building pathways for advanced skills and high-quality education. The dialogue also explored the policy and operational challenges that need to be addressed to enable partnerships to scale sustainably.
With the India–UK Vision 2035 and the evolving FTA landscape creating new avenues for collaboration, the roundtable also looked at how institutions can contribute to deeper engagement across education, research, innovation and skills development.
The discussions are expected to contribute towards shared recommendations for policymakers in India and the UK, institutional commitments from universities, and a sector-level representation that QS can take forward with relevant governments.
For MAHE, participation in such platforms reflects its continued engagement with the global higher education ecosystem and its commitment to fostering meaningful international partnerships that create opportunities for students, faculty, research and innovation.