New Delhi: Ravneet Pawha, Vice President (Global Engagement) and CEO (South Asia) of Deakin University, Australia, has urged the Indian government to introduce a new education law that would allow foreign universities to establish âcampuses within campusesâ across Indian higher education institutions.
Speaking at a global education conference in New Delhi, Pawha proposed the creation of collaborative spaces where Indian and international universities could share infrastructure, expertise, and culture fostering a truly global learning environment within India.
âWe need to move towards creating campuses within campuses places where Indian and international institutions can blend their academic strengths and diverse cultures,â Pawha said.
She explained that such partnerships would help merge academic excellence with cultural exchange, offering students a platform to experience international-quality education without leaving the country. The initiative, she said, would also strengthen Indiaâs global standing as an educational hub.
Pawha called for a shift beyond traditional degree models, advocating for education that focuses on skill-based learning and holistic development. âUniversities must go beyond awarding degrees and focus on developing real-world skills, global perspectives, and adaptable mindsets,â she noted.
Laying out the key focus areas for this vision, Pawha highlighted collaboration, curriculum, and culture as central pillars for reform. She stressed that global curricula should be adapted to local contexts, ensuring that learning remains relevant to Indiaâs diverse needs while maintaining international standards.
Pawha pointed out that while several foreign universities already collaborate with Indian institutions, there is a pressing need to expand such partnerships beyond metropolitan and elite universities. âQuality education should not remain confined to a few. We must ensure accessibility for all sections of society,â she emphasized.
She also underscored that investing in education is an investment in the countryâs future potential.
âBuilding Indiaâs capability is building the capability for the world. With a population of 1.6 billion and a youth eager to learn and innovate, training and education are absolutely essential,â Pawha said.
Her remarks align with Indiaâs ongoing efforts under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which encourages greater international collaboration in higher education. Pawhaâs proposal for âcampuses within campusesâ is being seen as a progressive model that could redefine the future of higher education in India turning universities into global crossroads of innovation, diversity, and opportunity.