Dr Rana, you’ve had quite a packed two days in Mumbai as part of PM Keir Starmer’s delegation. There seems to be a real buzz, with many announcements, but the one you’ve just made is really quite significant.
It’s been a great two days. Really important for the UK-India partnership, including the education partnership, and a really significant time for GEDU.
We’ve already invested £25 million in India through a campus in GIFT City, Gujarat, a 600-staff Global Centre of Excellence in Noida, and Lokmani University in Uttar Pradesh, to provide higher education as a charity.
Now, today, we’ve announced investments that will make GEDU the largest foreign direct investor in Indian education.
Can you tell us about these investment plans?
We’re injecting a further £200 million over the next three years to increase the provision of world class K-12 and HE in India.
The K-12 investment is through GEDU’s partnership with the renowned Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet. We’re opening a branch school in the National Capital Region in August next year. A second school, in another Indian city, will follow by 2028.
We’re also going to develop GEDU Global Education City in the National Capital Region, which will become an international hub housing campuses for world-leading universities.
You’re here as part of the Prime Minister’s delegation – how exactly does GEDU fit into what’s been happening here this week?
Well, we’re here with a group of other businesses that are as excited as I am about the recently signed UK-India Free Trade Agreement, and a refreshed Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This deal means more collaboration between the UK and India, and more opportunity for businesses in both countries.
I’m here because Transnational Education is key to the future economic success of the two countries. India not only has the largest population in the world, with 1.5 billion people, but also the largest youth population. We’re talking 65 per cent under the age of 35.
On top of this, India’s economy is booming, adding USD 1 trillion to its GDP every 12 to 18 months over the next decade.
These are staggering numbers, but what does this mean in reality for students and for GEDU?
The demographics and economic growth are exciting, in fact they’re unique. But they mean that young people need to have the relevant skills to embrace the opportunities that come from economic growth.
We at GEDU want to enable more international universities to open campuses in India. We also think it is positive that young Indians have the experience of studying abroad.
This exposure to international education – in India or overseas – gives a global perspective, which will be a differentiator in the job market as Indian employers look for people with a global perspective to match India’s increasing global significance.
Finally, Dr Rana, what’s been your highlight of the delegation?
First, I have to say it’s been a privilege to be part of the PM’s delegation.
I’ve been able to meet impressive CEOs from businesses from across sectors and, of course, vice chancellors from brilliant UK universities. I’ve learned a lot from them and, of course, from the officials at the Department of Business and Trade and the High Commission team in India. They’ve been wonderful.
Some might think that these delegations are just photo opportunities, champagne and networking. But we’ve really sunk our teeth into the detail of how to succeed in India in a series of discussions with Indian ministers, top officials and industry leaders from across the country. We learned about the opportunities emerging from the FTA, which everyone agreed will be a game-changer for bilateral trade and investment.
It’s been a whirlwind couple of days. Hugely successful, and hugely energising.
About the author: GEDU has operations in 15 countries, including the USA, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Malta, UAE, India, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Ireland and Canada. GEDU offers a range of educational opportunities— from K12 through Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, plus apprenticeships and language schools. Its portfolio has over 75,000 students, covers a wide range of subjects and is characterised by a keen focus on both employability and student experience to maximise return on investment for students.
