Britain's University of Leicester has struck up a partnership to help in developing a new university in Himachal Pradesh.
The leading UK institution has signed an agreement with the Maharaja Agrasen University (MAU) for capacity building and sharing ideas and experiences.
A delegation from Leicester will also be attending the formal opening of MAU by the Indian President Pranab Mukherjee in Solan on May 25.
"This is internationalisation at its best. We are delighted to be partnering with MAU. There is so much potential in terms of research collaboration, student and staff exchanges, course development and more," said Professor Douglas Tallack, Leicester University pro-vice-chancellor (international).
Under the agreement, Leicester will work with MAU initially in the field of engineering and computer science.
Students will have the opportunity to complete part of their course in India and remaining in Leicester, subject to the satisfactory performance as specified by Leicester and also depending on course options followed at MAU.
Students would also be eligible for "Study Abroad" options, leading to degrees awarded by MAU to be able to progress onto Master's courses at Leicester, subject to qualification.
"In recent years, University of Leicester has established partnerships with several Indian universities in Tamil Nadu and these collaborations have supported the development of a positive brand image for the university throughout South India.
However, University has no partnerships with universities in northern India," said Dr Michael Green, director of strategic partnerships at the University of Leicester.
The new partnership was also welcomed by former Labour MP and chair of the UK India Business Council (UKIBC) Patricia Hewitt.
"India is one of the most exciting and fastest growing economies in the world with a population of over a billion, half of whom are under the age of 25.
British universities, which are amongst the best in the world, should be partnering with universities in India to share their knowledge and experience, and also to learn from the extraordinary innovation that is going on in India," she said.
"We aim at leveraging our partnership with University of Leicester to develop students' global perspectives and international opportunities.
The University of Leicester will help us in capacity building to meet international academic standards and ensuring that an international multi-cultural ethos pervades our University," said MAU Chancellor Dr N K Garg.
