As part of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s delegation, Vishwajeet Rana’s recent two-day visit to Mumbai has been remarkably busy. There’s a definite sense of excitement and momentum, with numerous announcements made, but the one he’s just shared stands out as particularly consequential.
The past couple of days have been extremely productive, marking an important milestone for the UK-India Education Partnership, especially in the realm of education, and representing a significant moment for GEDU.
To date, GEDU’s investments in India total £25 million, supporting the establishment of a campus in GIFT City, Gujarat, a 600-person-strong Global Centre of Excellence in Noida, and Lokmani University in Uttar Pradesh, each dedicated to delivering higher education through charitable means.
Today, however, marks a turning point. GEDU unveiled plans to become the largest foreign direct investor in the Indian education sector, strengthening not just the organisation’s footprint but the foundation of the UK-India academic tie-ups that have the potential to redefine learning for generations.
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Strengthening the Bridge Between Two Educational Worlds
When asked about these upcoming investment plans, Vishwajeet Rana shared his enthusiasm for what’s ahead.
“We’re committing an additional £200 million over the next three years to expand the availability of high-quality K-12 and higher education across India.”
This statement reflects a growing confidence in international education collaboration, a partnership model that connects the UK’s academic excellence with India’s vast educational potential.
Specifically, GEDU’s K-12 initiatives will be advanced through its partnership with Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet, one of the UK’s most respected institutions. Plans are already underway to open a new branch school in the National Capital Region (NCR) by August next year, bringing British-style education directly to Indian students.
But it doesn’t end there. A second school is scheduled to launch in another Indian city by 2028, broadening access to quality learning and deepening the scope of joint educational programs that promote shared standards, innovation, and academic excellence.
This move represents more than infrastructure; it’s a symbol of educational cooperation between the UK and India, creating new academic exchange opportunities and positioning India as a future hub for world-class education.
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Inside the Vision: The GEDU Global Education City
One of GEDU’s most ambitious undertakings within the UK-India Education Partnership is the creation of the GEDU Global Education City within the NCR.
This visionary project aims to establish an international education hub that will host campuses affiliated with world-leading universities. Students in India will gain access to top-tier global academic opportunities within a dedicated campus environment without needing to travel abroad.
This is not merely a business expansion; it’s a transformative idea that aligns perfectly with the rising demand for innovative educational partnerships. The Global Education City will be a place where international curricula, research collaborations, and multicultural learning come together, creating a new model of joint educational projects designed to empower students to think globally while staying rooted in their own communities.
In an era where education has become borderless, this initiative symbolises the next evolution of educational exchange programs, one where students don’t have to cross oceans to access world-class learning. Instead, the world of knowledge is coming to them.
Why the UK-India Education Partnership Matters More Than Ever
Vishwajeet Rana’s participation as part of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s delegation speaks volumes about the UK’s commitment to building stronger global ties with India. The recently signed UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the revitalised Comprehensive Strategic Partnership mark a renewed era of collaboration, trade, and shared purpose.
Education sits at the heart of this new wave of cooperation. Within the framework of the FTA, Transnational Education (TNE), the delivery of UK-style degrees and curricula in India, has emerged as one of the most promising areas of growth.
India, home to nearly 1.5 billion people, boasts a youth demographic where 65% are under 35. That’s a massive pool of potential learners and future leaders. Analysts predict that India’s GDP will grow by approximately one trillion US dollars every 12 to 18 months over the next decade. It’s not just an economic statistic; it’s a call to action for the education sector to keep pace with this transformation.
Through this UK-India Education Partnership, organisations like GEDU are building the bridge that will enable young Indians to thrive in a globally competitive workforce. These international education collaborations don’t just import curricula; they transfer ideas, teaching philosophies, and practical skills that can change lives.
Education as the Catalyst for Opportunity
So, what does all this mean for students in India?
It means access. It means opportunity. It means choice.
While economic growth paints a bright picture, it also creates immense pressure for students to adapt to fast-changing industries. Young Indians are now expected to acquire not only academic knowledge but also the global competencies that employers demand.
Vishwajeet Rana emphasises that GEDU’s role within the UK-India academic tie-ups is to create joint educational programs that help students gain a global perspective without leaving their home country.
“We aim to facilitate the opening of more international university branches in India, allowing students to gain a global perspective without leaving their home country,” Vishwajeet Rana explained.
This simple statement captures the heart of the movement. International education is no longer just about studying abroad; it’s about bringing the world’s best academic systems to where students are. Moreover, GEDU believes in the power of educational exchange programs through the UK-India Education Partnership to open minds and reshape futures. Whether students study in India or abroad, the goal is the same: to cultivate cultural understanding, professional competence, and global confidence.
The Economic and Cultural Ripple Effect
When you look closer at the UK-India Education Partnership, it’s not just about academics; it’s about mutual growth. The establishment of campuses, global education hubs, and joint educational projects contributes to local economies, creates employment opportunities, and fosters cultural diplomacy. Every new campus or training centre becomes a hub for academic exchange opportunities, generating jobs, stimulating local business ecosystems, and providing platforms for research innovation.
This is the real-world impact of educational cooperation between the UK and India (UK-India Education Partnership), an effort that extends far beyond lecture halls and into the everyday lives of families and communities. It encourages innovation, builds leadership, and creates a generation of globally aware citizens who can drive progress on both sides of the partnership.
GEDU’s Role in Shaping the Future of Learning
When asked about the highlight of his experience with the delegation, Vishwajeet Rana said:
“It’s difficult to pick one moment, but I must say that participating in the Prime Minister’s delegation has been an incredible privilege. I’ve had the opportunity to meet influential CEOs from diverse sectors and, crucially, to engage with vice chancellors from esteemed UK universities.”
These meetings were not just formalities; they were groundbreaking conversations about how to bring innovative educational partnerships to life. GEDU’s interactions with officials from the Department of Business and Trade and the High Commission team in India demonstrated how much both nations value this shared educational future.
While some delegations are known for ceremonial networking, this one was defined by substance. The team held detailed discussions with Indian ministers, senior officials, and industry leaders about what success in India’s vibrant market looks like and how educational cooperation between the UK and India through the UK-India Education Partnership can strengthen it.
It wasn’t just about policy; it was about potential. The UK-India Education Partnership is more than a headline; it’s a vision that aligns education with empowerment, collaboration with innovation, and culture with connection.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Partnership Changes Everything
The UK-India Education Partnership is not a one-off initiative; it’s part of a broader story about how nations are rethinking the future of education. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, international education collaboration is no longer optional; it’s essential. The demand for skills in AI, data analytics, sustainability, and creative industries transcends borders. And to meet that demand, countries need to share knowledge, resources, and best practices.
The partnership between GEDU and India is a blueprint for how to do it right. It shows that joint educational programs can be both profitable and purposeful. It also demonstrates that academic exchange opportunities can unlock untapped talent in countries with large, youthful populations like India.
Through innovative educational partnerships, students gain more than degrees; they gain exposure, mentorship, and the ability to adapt across global industries.
Reflections and Looking Ahead
The past two days in Mumbai were more than meetings and speeches, they were a reaffirmation of what’s possible when education becomes a shared mission between nations. For GEDU, the experience has been transformative. Participating in this delegation didn’t just highlight India’s potential; it reaffirmed the UK’s role as a collaborative partner in the UK-India Education Partnership.
These UK-India academic tie-ups and joint educational projects promise to create lasting change, opening doors for students, educators, and institutions alike. The path ahead is ambitious, but so is the vision, to make educational cooperation between the UK and India a benchmark for global education systems worldwide.
The story of the UK-India Education Partnership is still unfolding, but one thing is clear: it represents hope, opportunity, and a future where education isn’t bound by geography but powered by shared purpose.
About GEDU
GEDU operates in 15 countries, including the USA, UK, France, Germany, Spain, Malta, UAE, India, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Ireland, and Canada. The organisation offers educational programs ranging from K-12 to postgraduate degrees, as well as apprenticeships and language courses.
Serving over 75,000 students across diverse subjects, GEDU emphasises employability, global experience, and practical education, ensuring that every student gets maximum value for their learning investment.
With its growing presence in India, GEDU is not only expanding access to quality education but also nurturing the next generation of thinkers, leaders, and changemakers who will carry the UK-India Education Partnership forward.
