Student mobility: connections that spark understanding and trust

Since I started as Country Director of British Council India just over a year ago, our team here have met VCs and their representatives from close to 50 UK universities, co-hosted with DBT the largest international delegation of UK universities and sector bodies, and distributed 93 Going Global Partnerships grants designed to initiate new research or teaching partnerships to 71 Indian and 51 UK universities. 

India’s Presidency of the G20 has been widely praised, not only for its comprehensive technical focus on the different tracks, including education and culture which the British Council helped coordinate on behalf of the UK, but in the words of the External Affairs Minister, it has also ‘shown India to the world and the world to India’.

We’re seeing an intensity of interest and engagement not seen for some time. This is just the best time to be in education in India, and I can’t wait to meet you all at the UUKi conference to discuss how we can maximise mutual growth that will benefit the young people and institutions of both our countries.

Key statistics

India is the world’s second largest sender of international students globally, sending over half million students in 2021 - 7.9% of all internationally mobile students. The UK now receives a quarter of these students – 121,000 in 21-22, up from 17,000 in 2016-17.

Though transnational education numbers are comparatively low at 12,000 in 2022-23, we predict a steady increase, not least because India’s demographic dividend (a fifth of the world’s 25 year old are in India), rapid urbanisation, and a growing middle class all mean demand for higher education. It is estimated that, while 41,000,000 are currently enrolled in HE, by 2035 80,000,000 places will be needed to meet the GER target of 50%.

With education, research, and innovation front and centre in the India-UK Roadmap 2030 and the Mutual Recognition of Academic Qualifications (MRQ) signed and being operationalised with ENIC, we have the policy frameworks in place to drive bilateral engagement.  Fast-paced changes in the regulatory environment, such as new TNE guidelines and the Setting up of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions, both show a strong political commitment in India to the liberalisation of education. Coupled with the growing number of quality institutions in India, including those committed to social innovation and impact as evidenced by the soon to be launched THE Impact Rankings (43 Indian Universities are in the top 1000 in 2024), it is becoming easier and more compelling to think holistically about mobility.

Perceptions of the UK 

Our recent Global Perceptions 2023 study found that UK is one of the most trusted countries in the G20, with two-thirds of the respondents appreciating the UK’s positive influence in the world. We all know that the value of international student mobility goes beyond academic and economic output. It’s a catalyst for building trust and long-term relationships for the UK. A recent study on how international student mobility builds trust and long-term relationships around the world has revealed that international student mobility influences various dimensions of cultural relations - such as cross-cultural understanding and competence, development of cross-cultural networks, enhanced global perspectives and language proficiency. This research also shows that young people who study in the UK have more personal connections with, and gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the UK. 

However, we want more young people in the UK to have these same benefits, personal connections and relationships with India. Not engaging with India, now the 5th largest economy in the world, should not be an option.

We have work to do. Our research* shows that Indian young people know more about, and have more positive perceptions of, the UK than the other way around. And we know that having exposure to another country (particularly through studying) has a positive impact on trust and perceptions of that country. We have some evidence that the uplift is particularly strong for those who have studied in India. I am a living example of this: I have an extremely close bond with Japan and India, having studied in both in my twenties. Creating opportunities for young people from the UK to experience India will make for a more equal partnership in the future, as those personal connections mature into lifelong friendships and open up professional collaboration or work opportunities. 

At the conference I’ll share with you some of our mobility data and insights and I look forward to discussing how we can think big about TNE and two-way mobility - the next generation of young people are the bedrock of the future relationship so let’s create a future generation that understands and trusts each other.

Alison will be speaking at Global Mobility Conference 2024's dedicated session on student mobilities with India. The conference has now reached full capacity. Should you still wish to express your interest in attending, kindly complete the waiting list form. We will be sure to reach out to you promptly if any tickets become available

* https://www.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/sources-soft-power-report-perceptions-success.pdf