Transnational Education India

International education meant transcending national geographical boundaries, living in a new country, and adjusting to the new socioeconomic setup, whilst transnational education encompasses the same benefits sans the necessity to move abroad. Globalization, workforce mobility, and changing migration policies have resulted in international education transcending national barriers and engaging students as TNE offerings in India. University Grants Commission India (UGC) data indicates the enrolment of more than 1,000,000 students in TNE programs in 2022-23, a considerable increase in comparison to the previous year, QS India data also suggests the same trend, with the enrolment of around 1.2 million students in such TNE programs being offered by different international universities in India. Indian financial data also reveals that Indian parents spending on education exhibits a significant upward trend.

As per UN data India surpassed China in world population and India has a vast pool of talented human capital, over 600 million people between the ages of 18 and 35, making it the country with the largest number of millennials and Gen Z in the world,  that’s the USP prompting countries to have significant trade and educational cooperation agreements, the establishment of new international universities, international campuses along with the delivery of international curriculum in India, providing an opportunity for Indian students and international students to experience the unique cultural landscape on India and have enriching India experience. 

Enrolment in TNE courses enables Indian students to have access to international curriculum and delivery, international peers, enhanced global exposure, and career prospects, this option doesn't force a student to transcend geographical boundaries for education and the associating countries can have access to trained, skilled workforce, to take up opportunities abroad or can decide to stay in their country of residence.

 UK and India had an existing UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI), but this could achieve considerable development in education and trade recently India and Australia inked and signed a more extensive document on extensive collaboration in trade and education. The University of Southampton is in India, and Coventry University will also have its campus in India. Deakin University is already leveraging its special relationship, and students too are responding to its educational offerings.  The transformation of international education to Transnational education provides unique partnerships between international Universities and Indian universities, institutions, and Edtech companies, with curricula being reshaped to be industry-integrated. Now credit transfers, recognition of prior learning, dual and joint degree programs, and integrated courses are all fostering a new ecosystem conducive to students and intuitions alike.

 Major changes could be implemented with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 notification, GPA-based grading, and a student credit bank where credits earned get registered and reflected. The proactive approach of the Education Ministry of India under the dynamic leadership of the Current Minister Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan, followed diligently by the efforts of UGC under its current chairman framed regulations for TNE and made joint and dual degrees of Twinning possible in India. UGC drafted a national credit framework, created a credit bank, facilitating recognition of prior learning, and negating the activity of seeking equivalences at a later stage. Multiple entry and exit options for any qualification in India, even fast-tracking or slowing degree, attainment, and accumulation of credits thus attained and also get reflected in the credit bank. AICTE is following suit, AICTE Now has the special provision to recognize and regulate student exchange, twinning, joint degree or dual degree programs, Diploma advanced diplomas degrees, and post-graduate levels in India, primarily to facilitate academic cooperation between foreign universities institutions, and research organizations, regulators in India are on the same page regarding and working in the right direction.      

 Australia has drafted a vision and strategic document for 2025-2035 for India with substantial plans for multipronged cooperation in education services and trade in the coming time, committing investments in a phased manner for the coming ten years. The current visa policy of Australia will slow visa processing, caps are also in effect, deterring international students, from exercising this option. For India, Fostering TNE means the availability of international studies without going through the perils of visa rejection leaving family and migrating to a new country.

 UK and India had a bilateral cooperation agreement, the University of Southampton became the first UK university to have an offshore campus in India. Deakin University had a great relationship with India and became the first Australian University to establish its campus in Gujrat, it has already invested in creating facilities and seems committed to expanding its India operations. The ecosystem of TNE benefits Indian universities by providing much-needed global exposure, enhanced international reputation, leveraging expertise, and attracting international talent. International partners get access to a huge market that is burgeoning, is talented, and has the largest pool of young human capital. Students can now access international studies in India through Transnational Education TNE.