India today at the end of 2025 stands at a critical inflection point in its higher education journey. With one of the world’s largest youth populations, a rapidly expanding digital economy, and growing global aspirations, the internationalisation of higher education is no longer optional. It is an urgent essential national priority. My research in Bengaluru and Karnataka shows certain  transformations for sure, not only because of their strong academic institutions but also due to their deep integration with global technology, research, and innovation ecosystems. However, this movement must be viewed not merely as a state level initiative but as a pan-India mission with long -national impact.

Internationalisation of higher education refers to the intentional integration of global, intercultural, and international dimensions into teaching, research, governance and student engagement. It encompasses academic collaborations, joint research, student and faculty mobility, transnational education, global curricula, dual degrees, innovation partnerships and knowledge exchange. In the Indian context, it also carries strategic significance in terms of skill development, employability, research excellence, soft power, and economic growth.

Bengaluru And Karnataka Early Movers

Bengaluru’s evolution as India’s technology and innovation capital has uniquely positioned Karnataka to lead the internationalisation agenda. One of the active states in India,  it hosts globally respected institutions across engineering, management, life sciences, design, public policy and medical sciences. It also houses hundreds of multinational corporations, global capability centers, research laboratories, startups, and innovation hubs. This convergence of academia, industry, and global capital provides fertile ground for meaningful international engagement.

My own engagement with this subject goes back several years. In 2017, I had the privilege of organizing the first one day national seminar on behalf of the Government of Karnataka Higher Education department in Bengaluru focused exclusively on the Internationalisation of Higher Education in India with a special emphasis on Karnataka. The seminar was attended by over 460 delegates including vice chancellors, senior academics, policymakers, international university representatives, industry leaders, and students. The response was overwhelming and deeply encouraging. It demonstrated clearly that Indian academia was ready to engage globally in a more structured, confident and strategic manner.

That seminar helped spark conversations around global partnerships, curriculum modernization, faculty exposure, international accreditation and student mobility. Many participants later shared that it was among the earliest forums in the region to treat internationalisation not as a peripheral activity but as a core institutional and national strategy.

Why Internationalisation Matters 

India’s higher education system is among the largest in the world, yet its global research output, international student share, and university rankings still lag behind its potential. Internationalisation addresses these gaps in several ways.

First, it enhances academic quality. Exposure to global pedagogies, collaborative research and international peer review raises teaching and learning standards. Joint programs and dual degrees help Indian students gain global perspectives without necessarily leaving the country.

Second, it strengthens research and innovation. Global challenges such as climate change, public health, artificial intelligence, sustainability, and urbanization require cross border collaboration. International research partnerships improve access to funding, infrastructure, data, and interdisciplinary expertise.

Third, it improves graduate employability. Employers increasingly seek graduates who are globally aware, culturally competent, digitally skilled, and adaptable. International exposure, even within India through visiting faculty and global curricula, significantly improves workforce readiness.

Fourth, it supports India’s soft power and diplomacy. Education is a powerful instrument of influence. International students who study in India become long term ambassadors. Faculty and research collaborations strengthen diplomatic and economic ties with partner countries.

Fifth, it contributes to economic growth. International students, research funding, innovation partnerships, and transnational education generate revenue, create jobs, and support regional development.

Karnataka’s Strategic Advantage 

Karnataka has several strategic advantages that make it one of the natural hubs for international higher education engagement. These include a strong English speaking academic community, globally connected alumni networks, advanced digital infrastructure, and a vibrant startup ecosystem. Bengaluru’s reputation as a global innovation city further enhances its attractiveness.

At the same time, with leadership comes responsibility. Karnataka, as an example, can serve as a national laboratory for best practices in internationalisation. Successful models developed here can be replicated across India. This includes structured international offices in universities, clear partnership frameworks, industry linked global programs, faculty exchange mechanisms, and outcome based international collaborations.

Importantly, internationalisation must not be limited to elite institutions alone. Public universities, regional colleges, and emerging institutions must also be part of this transformation. Digital platforms, blended learning, and virtual exchanges can democratize access to global education opportunities.

A Pan India Perspective

While Karnataka plays a role, internationalisation of higher education must be pursued as a pan India agenda. States such as Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala are also making significant strides. The National Education Policy 2020 provides a strong policy foundation by encouraging international campuses, foreign collaborations, credit mobility, and global research engagement.

India must position itself not only as a sender of students abroad but as a destination for global learners. This requires streamlined visa policies, student-friendly infrastructure, quality housing, student safety, cultural integration and globally benchmarked academic standards. Indian cities beyond metros must also be developed as education hubs.

Role of Industry 

One of India’s unique strengths is the close proximity between higher education and industry, particularly in cities like Bengaluru. Internationalisation should leverage this advantage. Global companies operating in India can partner with universities to design curricula, sponsor research, offer internships, and support faculty development.

Global capability centers, research labs, and innovation clusters can serve as living laboratories for students and researchers. International universities are increasingly interested in such industry integrated models, and India can offer this at scale.

Policy, Leadership, Vision

Sustained internationalisation requires visionary leadership, institutional autonomy, policy consistency, and professional management. Universities need empowered international offices staffed by trained professionals. Faculty must be incentivized for global engagement. Outcomes must be measured not by the number of MoUs signed but by tangible academic and societal impact.

From my own experience engaging with policymakers, universities and international partners, I firmly believe that India has reached a moment where intent, capability, and opportunity are aligned. What is needed now is coordinated execution and long term commitment.

Internationalisation of higher education is not about imitation. It is about confident collaboration. It is about India contributing knowledge to the world while learning from global best practices. Bengaluru and Karnataka have shown what is possible through early leadership, dialogue, and experimentation. The success of the 2017 national seminar and subsequent engagements reaffirmed that Indian academia is ready to think and act globally.

As India aspires to become a knowledge superpower, internationalisation must be embedded at the heart of our higher education strategy. This journey transcends state boundaries. It is a national mission with global consequences. If pursued thoughtfully and inclusively, it can transform not only our universities but also our economy, society, and global standing.

References 

1. Ministry of Education Government of India. National Education Policy 2020 and efforts on Internationalisation of Higher Education in India.

2. OECD. Education at a Glance and Internationalisation of Higher Education reports.

3. World Bank. Higher Education for Development Global Perspectives and Policy Insights.

(The author holds a dual masters degree from Europe and the US and is an ex-international corporate banker currently serving as Visiting Professor in international marketing at a university in Bengaluru, India. Views expressed are personal. He can be reached at rameshkumarn180@gmail.com )