- Illinois Tech Becomes First US University Approved by UGC: Set to open an independent degree-granting campus in Mumbai by 2026, Illinois Institute of Technology will offer programs in computer science, engineering, and business.
- India Opens Doors to Top Global Institutions: Under the NEP 2020, the UGC has approved campuses from the University of Liverpool, Victoria University, Western Sydney University, and others to strengthen India’s position as a global education hub.
- Global Education Now Within India’s Borders: With UGC allowing autonomy in curriculum and degree awarding, Indian students can now access world-class education domestically, reducing the need to study abroad.
A revolutionary breakthrough for international higher education, the Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) has become the first US university to get India's University Grants Commission (UGC) approval to open an independent, degree-granting campus in India.
Due to launch in Mumbai by 2026, the campus will deliver undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in sought-after streams like computer science, engineering, and business.
This move is in line with India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which seeks to make the nation a global education hub by making it easy for foreign higher educational institutions to set up shop. The policy seeks to make India a knowledge society by the centenary of its independence in 2047.
Illinois Tech's action is in line with a larger trend of foreign universities setting up their campuses in India. Five of India's most world-renowned foreign universities have been approved by the UGC to set up their campuses:
- University of Liverpool (UK)
- Victoria University (Australia)
- Western Sydney University (Australia)
- Istituto Europeo di Design (Italy).
Furthermore, the University of York (UK) is to establish a campus in Mumbai with courses in computer science, AI, cyber security, business, economics, and creative industries from the 2026/27 academic session.
The Imperial College London has also started a science hub in Bengaluru to enhance research and innovation partnerships with Indian institutions in fields such as AI, telecommunications, semiconductors, health tech, and clean tech .
A new chapter for Indian students
These initiatives provide Indian students with access to international levels of education without having to go abroad. With international curricula and pedagogy being brought into India, these campuses seek to improve the nation's academic environment and give students more academic options.
UGC guidelines for international universities include freedom to design curriculum, independence to establish admission requirements and fees, and the conferment of internationally accepted degrees within the country.
