15 Foreign Universities to Open STEM Campuses in India, Says Dharmendra Pradhan

University of Liverpool to Launch Research-Driven Bengaluru Campus in 2026

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan presided over a Letter of Intent (LoI) handover ceremony to the University of Liverpool in New Delhi, marking it the second UK university to establish a campus in India under the UGC (Setting Up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations, 2023.

This milestone advances the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s vision of positioning India as a global higher education hub through strategic international partnerships.

The University of Liverpool’s Bengaluru campus, set to commence operations in August 2026, will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Business Management, Accounting and Finance, Computer Science, Biomedical Sciences, and a distinctive Game Design course—a first for a UK university campus in India.

Designed as a research-intensive hub, the campus will focus on fundamental, applied, and industry-driven research to tackle global and local challenges. It will also provide global exchange opportunities through the university’s mobility scheme, enabling Indian students to study in Liverpool and other global locations, while offering UK students an international study destination in Bengaluru. The curriculum, aligned with global industry standards and delivered by a diverse faculty, will prepare graduates for competitive international careers, supported by the university’s strong employer networks and entrepreneurship initiatives.

Pradhan emphasized that the LoI reflects India’s growing stature as a trusted partner in global higher education, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambition to transform India into a Viksit Bharat by 2047. He stressed that NEP 2020’s focus on global, futuristic education aims to produce global citizens, with 15 foreign universities, particularly in STEM fields, expected to establish campuses in India this academic year.

The University of Liverpool is the fourth to publicly announce its presence. Pradhan highlighted the campus’s potential to drive innovation and research, fostering sustainability, health, and prosperity—key global agendas—while embodying India’s ethos of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family).

The ceremony also saw the signing of three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited, YouWeCan, and Dream11 to explore collaborative opportunities in education, research, and industry. Two panel discussions were held: ‘The Free Trade Agreement and Beyond’ and ‘The India–UK Challenge of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR),’ underscoring the strengthening academic and research ties between India and the UK.

Dr. Vineet Joshi, in his address, described the LoI as a symbol of India’s transformative higher education reforms under NEP 2020, which prioritize inclusivity, global competitiveness, and future-readiness. He highlighted internationalization as a cornerstone, promoting global connectivity and institutional flexibility to elevate Indian education to world-class standards.

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