Team Blitz India
A CAMPUS of the University of Southampton was inaugurated in Gurugram on July 16, marking the first foreign university to establish a campus in India under the University Grants Commission’s new regulations. Describing the event as a “momentous milestone” in the internationalisation of education under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the development also deepens the education pillar of the India–UK strategic partnership, as outlined in the India–UK Roadmap 2030.
“Southampton University’s campus in Gurugram will create new synergies, foster a new culture of curiosity and excellence, and present an added choice to students to access world-class education at a more affordable cost and nearer to home and family,” he said during its inauguration. Pradhan also urged the university to introduce STEM programmes and contribute to India’s vision of becoming a global innovation hub.
The launch event was attended by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Lord Patel OBE, Chancellor of the University and a member of the UK House of Lord, British High Commissioner to India Lindy Cameron, and UGC Chairman Dr. Vineet Joshi. Pradhan commended the university for establishing the state-of-the-art campus within a year of receiving the Letter of Intent.
Highlighting the growing educational ties between India and the UK, Pradhan referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s description of this relationship as a “living bridge” that connects the two nations. UGC Chairman Vineet Joshi called the Gurugram campus a proud milestone and a model for future international collaborations under NEP 2020.
