On Sunday, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan held a productive meeting with a high-level delegation from Johns Hopkins University (JHU), led by JHU President Ronald J. Daniels. The key discussion point was the possibility of establishing an offshore campus of the prestigious US-based university in India, which would further enhance academic and research collaborations between India and the United States.

The 12-member delegation included representatives from the Gupta-Klinsky India Institute (GKII), a specialized unit within JHU focused on fostering collaboration between the university and Indian partners in areas such as research, education, policy, and practice. This initiative aligns with India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which promotes internationalization and encourages academic partnerships with global institutions.

In a post on 'X' (formerly Twitter), Minister Pradhan shared his appreciation for JHU’s commitment to strengthening collaborations with Indian higher education institutions (HEIs). He emphasized that these efforts would include the establishment of dual degree programs, two-way student and faculty mobility, and joint research initiatives in areas like data science, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced technologies. These are areas of significant interest under India’s current educational strategy, which aims to position India as a global hub for higher education.

Minister Pradhan also highlighted that this collaboration under NEP 2020 is a critical step in the internationalization of India’s education system, with JHU's emphasis on innovative research and knowledge exchange. The minister noted the growing importance of India-U.S. educational ties, particularly in the context of global challenges and the rapid development of technology-driven industries.

The meeting was attended by K. Sanjay Murthy, Secretary of Higher Education, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Department of Higher Education.

As part of their multi-city tour across India, the Johns Hopkins delegation is scheduled to visit several Indian university campuses, hold discussions with academic leaders, and explore further opportunities for collaboration.

Key Highlights:

• The possibility of establishing an offshore campus of Johns Hopkins University in India was a primary topic of discussion.
• NEP 2020 facilitates the internationalization of India's education system and supports collaborations with global institutions like JHU.
• The focus areas for academic partnerships include dual degree programs, two-way mobility, and collaborative research in cutting-edge fields like data science, AI, and future technologies.