The global map of higher education is being redrawn and this time, India sits at its centre. Once perceived primarily as a source of outbound students, the country is rapidly transforming into an education power bloc in its own right: a market, a partner, a research collaborator, and increasingly, an exporter of educational excellence.
Its appeal is powered by a convergence of forces rarely seen at this scale: the world’s largest youth population by 2030, an ambitious NEP 2020 reform blueprint, an expanding middle class hungry for global opportunity, and a fast-intensifying focus on tech-led growth. The result is a higher education ecosystem that is now impossible for global institutions to ignore.
The numbers alone signal a structural shift. India hosts over 1,100 universities and 43,000 colleges, making it one of the world’s most extensive education networks. It adds 1.4 million STEM graduates annually, more than the United States and China combined. For countries grappling with talent shortages and ageing populations, India has become a strategic reservoir for skills, research, and innovation.
And the world has taken notice. Over the past three years, universities from the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Australia, and Germany have been exploring or establishing deeper India-facing models—from dual degrees and articulation pathways to offshore campuses, online collaborations, and research partnerships.
But this moment is not just about inflows. Increasingly, it is also about Indian institutions stepping outward, shaping global classrooms and contributing to the internationalisation of knowledge.
The new confidence: India as a global education exporter
Before Covid-19, the idea of Indian universities expanding abroad was largely aspirational. Today, it is a reality.
Institutions such as Symbiosis International University are now being invited to anchor national education priorities in other countries—a reversal of roles that signals the growing global confidence in Indian academic models. In September 2025, IIM Ahmedabad also forayed into UAE and established their offshore campus and there are many more.
For decades, India’s soft power in education was carried forward by its diaspora—professionals and leaders who excelled worldwide. Now, the institutions that shaped them are entering the global arena themselves, backed by regulatory reforms, improved quality benchmarks, and international demand.
Dr Anita Patankar, Executive Director, Symbiosis International University – Dubai, captures this turning point and said, “India is entering a new phase in its education journey where it isn’t just exporting graduates to the world, but exporting institutions, educational models, and leadership. Countries today are actively seeking Indian universities to be part of their national education strategies, and Symbiosis Dubai illustrates this shift in a very real way.”
Dr Patankar adds “When a country like the UAE, so deeply invested in innovation and talent development, chooses to bring in a select few Indian universities, it reflects a growing global confidence in India’s academic standards, values, and capability.”
For her, this is not merely a milestone—it is a glimpse into the next decade, where Indian institutions will play a more assertive role in shaping global talent pipelines.
What global institutions must understand about India
As the world’s universities deepen their engagement with India, they confront a sector that is both vast and nuanced. International collaborations have accelerated—but success depends on understanding the strengths, expectations, and cultural dynamics that shape Indian higher education.
Dr Patankar cautions that global partnerships must move beyond transactional agreements and commented that “Indian universities bring something distinctive to global partnerships: a deep commitment to values-driven education, resilience, and adaptability… International partners should approach collaborations with sensitivity to local systems and curricula, and with a mindset of co-creating programmes that align with industry needs.”
With India’s families prioritising education as a transformative investment, demand is rising for programmes that offer global mobility without the prohibitive costs of studying abroad. “Global programmes that offer strong career prospects and mobility, while remaining cost-conscious, are particularly attractive. When approached thoughtfully, such collaborations cultivate globally aware leaders who carry a spirit of innovation, collaboration, and purpose into the world”, she added further.
Australia’s bet on skills: A partnership built on employability
Australia has long been one of the most popular destinations for Indian students. Today, its strategy is expanding beyond attracting learners to fostering skills development within India itself.
Before considering the Australian perspective, it is vital to understand the policy context: India’s education reforms are heavily oriented toward employability, industry alignment, and building a future-ready workforce. This aligns seamlessly with Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) strengths.
Vik Singh, Trade and Investment Commissioner, Australian Trade and Investment Commission, underscores this synergy, he quotes “Education is a strong pillar in our bilateral relationship. Australia’s strengths in industry-focused vocational education align closely with India’s national priorities in skill development, employability, and education reform.”
He adds that Australia sees itself not just as an education provider, but as a collaborator in India’s human capital mission — “Australia will be a natural partner for India in building human capital for the future… By organising the delegation visit, we reaffirm our commitment by connecting Australian institutions and training providers to further strengthen Australia–India collaboration in skills development.”
Germany’s doctrine: Industry at the learning leap
Germany’s interest in India is anchored not merely in academic programmes but in the possibility of replicating its hallmark model: close integration of industry and training.
Before their insights, it is important to note that India’s manufacturing ambitions—powered by automation, advanced machinery, semiconductors, and green mobility—align strongly with Germany’s industrial DNA. This convergence has created a new era of vocational and technical cooperation.
Dr Hans-Joachim, President, The Didacta Association Prinz, articulates Germany’s evolving approach: “Germany’s real strength lies in integrating companies directly into the training ecosystem. With India rapidly scaling its industrial capabilities through advanced machinery and automation, this creates a powerful synergy between India’s manufacturing ambitions and Germany’s expertise in vocational and technical training.”
The German perspective also emphasises that global expansion today comes with complexities—political, financial, and competitive. Yet, stepping back from globalisation is not an option. Norbert Völker, Managing Director, Didacta, reflects “Entering new markets inevitably brings challenges, but countries today must collaborate not only in trade but also in knowledge exchange. The flow of ideas should be mutual. This isn’t a one-way street—it’s a two-way learning process. As long as we maintain trust and communicate at eye level, everyone stands to benefit.”
A new chapter in global higher education
India’s higher education moment is not defined by one trend, but by the intersection of many:
- A massive, ambitious student base
- NEP-driven openness to global partnerships
- A rising middle class seeking international exposure
- Research collaborations in deep tech
- Growth of edtech and micro-credentials
- The geopolitical realignment of the Global South
- India’s ascent as a manufacturing and innovation hub
Foreign universities are not merely entering a new market. They are entering a long-term partnership with a nation that is simultaneously a producer, collaborator, and exporter of educational capability.
As India stands on this threshold, one thing is increasingly evident: global higher education is no longer flowing in a single direction. The next decade will be shaped by cross-border collaboration, mutual learning, and a more equitable exchange of knowledge.
And in that story, India is poised to play a defining role.
