The British Deputy High Commission in Hyderabad and the Telangana State Council of Higher Education recently organized a meeting between top universities from Telangana and the UK. The purpose of this roundtable discussion was to explore opportunities for collaboration in transnational education. The event was hosted by the British Deputy High Commission for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Prof. V Balakista Reddy, Chairman of the Telangana Council of Higher Education, highlighted the importance of globalization in higher education. He explained that liberalization, privatization, and digitalization have created a borderless world, making it easier for universities from different countries to exchange knowledge. He also emphasized that in the post-COVID era, collaboration between universities across national borders will be crucial for the growth of knowledge-based industries.
Prof. Reddy encouraged universities from both Telangana and the UK to adopt each other’s best practices. He stressed that Telangana’s higher education institutions will play an important role in India’s economic growth by producing skilled professionals for the global workforce.
British Deputy High Commissioner Gareth Wynn Owen addressed the gathering and expressed the UK’s commitment to academic excellence and innovation. He said that the roundtable aimed to create new opportunities for transnational education. By fostering partnerships, he added, both students and institutions would benefit through academic exchanges and collaborations.
The roundtable was attended by Vice-Chancellors from major public universities in Telangana, including Osmania University, Kakatiya University, Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, and Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University. These academic leaders shared insights about their universities and expressed their willingness to collaborate in their specialized fields.
During the discussion, the participants explored various opportunities for partnership. They talked about potential collaborations in dual degrees, certifications, faculty and student exchange programs, and joint research projects.
Representatives from leading British universities, including the University of Birmingham, Heriot-Watt University, Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Middlesex, University of Reading, University of Sunderland, and the University of Wolverhampton, engaged with Telangana university leaders. They discussed the benefits of dual degree programs and other educational opportunities that could strengthen academic ties between the two regions.
