Today, internationalisation of higher education in India can become one of the most decisive drivers in bringing academia and industry closer together in a structured, sustainable and mutually beneficial manner. In an era where economic competitiveness is increasingly determined by knowledge, skills and innovation, India’s higher education system must evolve beyond its traditional role of degree awarding and examination-centric learning. Internationalisation provides an opportunity to redefine education as application-oriented, industry-aligned, globally benchmarked and future-focused, while remaining deeply rooted in India’s socio-economic realities.

India today occupies a unique position in the global landscape. It has one of the largest higher education systems in the world, with more than forty million students enrolled across universities and colleges. The number of institutions has grown steadily, and access to higher education has expanded significantly over the last decade. The Gross Enrolment Ratio has crossed 28 percent, indicating progress toward wider participation. Alongside this expansion lies India’s most significant advantage: its demographic dividend. A substantial proportion of the population falls within the 20 to 40 year age group, representing a vast pool of young talent ready to enter the workforce. However, this demographic advantage will yield results only if education translates into employability and career sustainability.

Despite the scale and growth of India’s academic system, there remains a widely acknowledged gap between academic learning and industry expectations. Employers across sectors frequently point out that many graduates lack practical exposure, problem-solving capability, communication skills, adaptability and familiarity with real-world business and technological environments. This challenge is especially pronounced in rapidly evolving fields such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, cybersecurity, digital marketing, banking, behavioural sciences and applied psychology.

Academia-Industry Disconnect

The disconnect between academia and industry is not a recent phenomenon, but its consequences are becoming increasingly serious. Industry today operates in a fast-changing global environment where technologies evolve quickly, customer expectations shift rapidly and competition is intense. Employers are no longer satisfied with theoretical knowledge alone. They seek graduates who can apply concepts, work across disciplines, collaborate in diverse teams, and adapt to uncertainty. Traditional academic models, which often emphasise rote learning and static curricula, struggle to keep pace with these realities.

It is precisely here that I see internationalisation of higher education as a critical solution. Across the world, many foreign universities and corporate institutions have already integrated industry engagement into their academic models. Leading universities such as Stanford and UC Berkeley, along with global digital learning platforms like Coursera, Microsoft certification and similar organisations, deliver programmes focused on industry-relevant technical skills, soft skills, leadership development, communication skills, entrepreneurship and advanced technologies. These initiatives demonstrate that strong academic–industry linkages are not only possible but essential.

In India, however, such initiatives tend to be fragmented and unevenly accessible, often limited to students who can afford additional certifications or overseas education. What is urgently required is a systematic and policy-driven approach, where internationalisation becomes part of the core structure of higher education rather than an optional supplement. By enabling partnerships between Indian universities and foreign institutions, India can embed global best practices directly into curricula, teaching methodologies, evaluation systems, and research frameworks.

I strongly advocate that each Indian state should develop its own internationalisation strategy for higher education, aligned with its states economic priorities and industry strengths. India’s diversity demands differentiated approaches. States that host strong technology ecosystems, manufacturing clusters, pharmaceutical hubs, or financial services centres can leverage international partnerships tailored to their specific needs. Such state-level strategies can ensure that education remains relevant to local industry while meeting global standards.

Concerns are often raised that internationalisation may lead to excessive commercialisation of education or increased competition for domestic institutions. In my view, these risks can be effectively managed through clear regulatory frameworks, transparent accreditation mechanisms, and strong quality assurance systems. Foreign universities should not be perceived merely as profit-driven entities. Rather, they should be welcomed as knowledge partners who bring advanced pedagogy, application-oriented education, research capability, and global academic culture.

India offers a compelling value proposition to foreign universities. It provides access to a large and growing student population, a vibrant and expanding economy, and a strong presence of multinational corporations across sectors. Companies from the United States, Germany, Japan, South Korea and Australia already operate extensive technology centres, research facilities, and manufacturing units in India. When universities from these countries collaborate with Indian institutions, they help create a cohesive ecosystem linking education, research, innovation, and employment.

Stem Brain Drain 

Such collaborations can significantly enhance career readiness and employability. Joint programmes can incorporate internships, apprenticeships, industry-sponsored projects, and mentorship from global professionals. Students benefit not only from academic learning but also from exposure to workplace realities and global professional standards. This integrated approach shortens the transition from education to employment and improves long-term career outcomes.

Internationalisation also plays a crucial role in addressing the long-standing issue of brain drain. For decades, large numbers of Indian students have pursued higher education abroad, particularly in North America, Europe, and Australia. While this has strengthened India’s global presence, it has also resulted in substantial outflow of talent and financial resources. Many students who leave choose not to return, contributing their skills to other economies.

If high-quality international education is available within India, a significant proportion of students may prefer to study and build their careers at home. Foreign university campuses, joint degree programmes, and collaborative research initiatives can provide global credentials without requiring physical migration. This helps retain talent within the country, ensuring that skills and knowledge contribute directly to India’s economic and social development.

Another major benefit of internationalisation lies in research and innovation. Collaborative research between Indian and foreign universities enhances quality, increases global visibility, and accelerates the translation of research into practical applications. In fields such as artificial intelligence, clean energy, healthcare innovation, climate resilience, and advanced materials, no single country can operate in isolation. International collaboration is essential, and universities serve as natural hubs for such engagement.

From the student’s perspective, internationalisation offers far more than academic credentials. It provides exposure to diverse cultures, learning environments, ethical frameworks and most importantly problem-solving approaches. It builds adaptability, confidence and cross-cultural communication skills. These attributes are increasingly valued by employers, particularly in multinational and globally integrated organisations. For Indian youth, this exposure can be life-changing, broadening perspectives while remaining grounded in local contexts and also pave them to acquire competency as global citizens.

India Must Seize Opportunity

It is also essential that internationalisation remains inclusive and equitable. Global education opportunities should not be restricted to a privileged few. Scholarship programmes, affordable tuition structures, and public–private partnerships, CSR and ESG initiatives are critical to ensuring broad access. Internationalisation should serve as a tool for social mobility, not a source of inequality.
India’s policy direction reflects growing recognition of these imperatives. National education reforms envision India emerging as a global hub for education and research, with ambitious targets for attracting international students, improving global rankings of Indian institutions, and enabling foreign universities to operate within the country. Achieving these goals will require sustained collaboration between government, academia, and industry, along with regulatory clarity and infrastructure investment.

I firmly believe that internationalisation of higher education is today central to India’s long-term economic, technological, and social progress. It offers a practical and scalable pathway to bring academia and industry closer, modernise curricula, share global best practices and equip Indian youth with skills that are relevant, transferable and future-ready. Most importantly, it empowers young Indians to build meaningful careers within India while remaining globally connected.

India must seize this opportunity with confidence and strategic intent. By doing so, it can transform its higher education system into a powerful engine of innovation, employability, and inclusive growth, ensuring that the country’s demographic advantage becomes a lasting national strength.

References:

Government of India, Ministry of Education. National Education Policy and Internationalisation of Higher Education.

India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF). Education Sector in India: Market Size, Growth and Global Opportunities.

World Bank and OECD: Higher Education, Skills Development, and Workforce Readiness in Emerging Economies.

(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 )