Why International Collaboration is the Key to Higher Education in India

The world has become one tiny extended village as distances between nations have reduced rapidly and the rate of internationalisation is proliferating with unhindered communication channels and inexpensive travel. In today’s globalised world, students are increasingly seeking educational opportunities that transcend geographical boundaries and offer a diverse array of experiences. 

One significant factor influencing students’ decisions when choosing a university is the extent of its collaborations with foreign institutions. These collaborations not only enhance the academic offerings but also provide invaluable opportunities for students to broaden their horizons, engage in innovative learning experiences, and prepare for success in a rapidly evolving global landscape. To paraphrase a popular saying, what’s good for the students is good for the university. The number of students choosing to study internationally is constantly increasing and, for this reason, it is only logical that universities would want to increase internationalisation and attract applicants from across the globe.

UGC stands for International Collaboration

The National Education Policy of 2020 highlighted the importance of the Internationalisation of Higher Education so that strategic collaboration and partnership can not only provide financial stability, brand value, and brand extension to the Institutions but also additional course offerings and International exposure to students who are the main stakeholders of the University. 

University Grants Commission (UGC) has initiated several measures for the internationalisation of the Higher Education system in India, persuaded by the National Education Policy 2020 recommendations. The University Grants Commission notified the Guidelines on Internationalisation of Higher Education, which included provisions like setting up an office for International Affairs and Alumni Connect Cell in the universities; University Grants Commission (Academic Collaboration between Indian and Foreign Higher Educational Institutions to offer Twinning, Joint Degree and Dual Degree Programmes) Regulations have been notified to foster academic collaboration between India Higher Educational Institutions and Foreign Higher Educational Institutions. This has facilitated nearly 235 Higher Educational Institutions in the country to be eligible for Collaboration with Foreign Universities under different disciplines. 

NCU is one such University in Gurgaon, which has the unique distinction of having the sanction of the Regulatory Body to foster Collaboration with foreign Universities.  

Student Connect to Foreign Collaboration 

While considering admission to a University, students are drawn to Higher Educational Institutions that boast collaborations with the Best across the globe, as such partnerships evince keen interest and significantly impact their decision-making process. The collaboration provides the following advantages to a student. 

• Institution commitment to providing World Class Education at a competitive price.
• Earn an Internationally recognized degree.

• The main reason for pursuing higher education is the preparation it affords for life in the working world. In the globalised society we live in, international collaboration programmes help by providing students with the ability to study, work, and travel internationally.
• For domestic students, it offers the opportunity to travel internationally via any exchange programs that may have been set up, and vice versa for students at partnered universities. It also enables universities to understand the culture of other nations better, thereby facilitating their marketing success there.
• Participate in engaging in Collaborative research projects.

Overall it adds immense value to the overall educational experience for a student to maintain a competitive edge in today’s dynamic Higher Educational landscape. 

NCU’s affiliation with Foreign Universities

NCU is a multidisciplinary University established in 1996 and strategically located approximately 10 Km from the International Airport in New Delhi. The University has forged a collaboration with Arizona State University (ASU) in 2020. Unlike other collaborations that have a limited scope, this one has a wide strategic initiative aimed at fostering innovation, internationalisation, and digitization.  

The Collaboration outlines the offering of accelerated pathways in Master’s Degrees, and certificate programmes developed in collaboration with partner Universities of ASU. In this, the student gains access to a wider range of educational opportunities tailored to meet the demands of today’s global economy. These programmes not only provide students with specialised skills and knowledge but also unlock global opportunities, allowing them to compete and excel on an international stage. 

In addition, student and faculty exchange programmes play a role in promoting cross-cultural understanding and collaboration. Through these programmes, students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in different academic environments, gain exposure to diverse perspectives, and develop invaluable interpersonal skills. Similarly, faculty exchange programmes facilitate co-teaching and co-learning experiences, enabling educators to exchange best practices, conduct collaborative research, and enhance their teaching and research outcomes.

A few other Universities it has signed collaborations with are as under: 

(a) Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown, Ireland

(b) University of Regina 

(c) University of Dayton 

(d) Providence University Taiwan 

(e) University of Chester 

(f) Queensland University of Technology 

(g) Almaty University 

(h) New York University 

(i) University North Florida 

(j) Gies College of Business University, Illinois

These collaborations and many more are a testament to the University’s commitment to providing students with global exposure, expanding research horizons, and enriching students’ experiences.

CONCLUSION

Collaborations with foreign universities play a major role in shaping students’ decisions when seeking admission to a university. The NorthCap University Gurgaon over the last decade has continually believed in the principles of innovation, internationalisation, and digitization, to collaborate with foreign higher educational Institutions to provide unlimited opportunities to students to expand their horizons and enhance their skills so that they are better prepared to succeed in this volatile world.

For more information visit their website https://www.ncuindia.edu/