Latest news with #CharlieJeffery
Indian Express
16-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
‘India is the most exciting place for global higher education': University of York V-C on launching Mumbai campus
The University Grants Commission (UGC) recently issued letters of intent to five foreign universities, including the University of York, University of Western Australia, and University of Aberdeen, giving them approval to set up independent campuses in India. Against backdrop of the event, University of York Vice-Chancellor Prof Charlie Jeffery spoke with about the rationale behind the institution's India plans, and why Mumbai fits York's academic strengths, and how its creative industries research and tech-led pedagogy will shape the new campus. 20% of the world's youth live in India — and York wants to meet them halfway 'India is probably the most exciting location in the world right now for international higher education,' said Professor Charlie Jeffery, Vice-Chancellor of the University of York, outlining the university's decision to set up its first full-fledged overseas campus in Mumbai. With 20 percent of the world's population under 25 living in India (50 percent population is below 25 according to a UNFPA report), and a national education policy that actively invites international universities, he said the country presented a unique blend of opportunity and alignment. 'There's an extraordinary demographic here,' he said, adding that Mumbai's dynamism, particularly in the biotechnology and creative industries, made it a natural fit for York's own academic strengths. From York to Mumbai: 10,000 students, creative tech, and biotech in focus Set to open in September 2026, the University of York's Mumbai campus will begin with 200–300 students, but plans to scale up to 10,000 over the next decade. According to Prof Jeffery, the initial academic offerings will include business, computer science, and creative technologies, with a research-led approach intended to merge academic knowledge with real-world industry applications. The campus, which will operate independently as University of York in Mumbai, will deliver the same UK-accredited courses and will recruit a mix of faculty from York, India, and international locations. Over time, this model will shift toward greater local recruitment. 'We're starting small to make sure we set everything up really effectively, but then we're going to grow rapidly,' said Prof Jeffery. Why York sees India as an easier bet than other countries Prof Jeffery credited India's National Education Policy (NEP) with creating a transparent regulatory framework that international institutions can work with. 'In other countries, regulations can be ambiguous or even hostile. But in India, the UGC has created a clear and predictable pathway. That makes India more welcoming than many other places,' he said. CoSTAR Live Lab: UK-funded innovation in India's financial capital Stepping in midway through the conversation, Gavin Kearney, Co-Director of the CoSTAR Live Lab, explained how York's pioneering research in creative technologies will be embedded in its Mumbai campus. 'CoSTAR is a UK government-backed initiative — £76 million invested to keep the UK at the cutting edge of creative innovation. The Mumbai campus will serve as a gateway for Indian students to access this innovation,' he said. He emphasised the potential for deep collaboration with Mumbai's booming film and media industries, stating that students in creative programs will benefit from access to emerging technologies and joint projects that span both countries. Degrees that are global, placements that are local The courses offered at the Mumbai campus will remain academically identical to those at York's home campus. Under UGC regulations, all academic programmes must be previously accredited in the UK and delivered without compromise. What will differ, however, is the strong local industry integration from day one. Prof Jeffery noted that Indian students and parents have higher expectations when it comes to placements and employer engagement, something he says York has taken seriously. 'We already have an MoU with the Tech Entrepreneurs Association of Mumbai and existing relationships with Sun Pharma and Tata,' he said, adding that the university had also committed to setting up a dedicated industry placements framework in Mumbai. 'Not to divert, but to deliver'—why York doesn't see this as student migration reversal When asked whether this move is a response to tighter immigration rules and a way to retain Indian students within India, Prof Jeffery clarified, 'This isn't about diverting students who might have gone to York in the UK. I think one of the things that we see is the very, very high ambition of the Indian government to enroll more young people in higher education, and we see ourselves meeting that unmet demand.' He also pointed out the environmental benefits of international universities setting up locally. 'Flying to the UK brings an environmental cost. Bringing the university to where students already are makes sense,' he said. No compromise on academic rigour and quality The Mumbai campus will uphold the same quality assurance and academic rigor that York is known for globally. Prof Jeffery underscored the institution's elite status—one of only four UK universities with top-tier ratings in both research and teaching alongside Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College London. When asked how standards will be maintained, he clarified that a University of York-appointed provost will oversee all academic matters in Mumbai, ensuring standards and recruitment match those back home. 'The University of York in Mumbai will be just as much York as our original campus,' he said. What's next: A Nobel in Mumbai? Looking ahead, Prof Jeffery said the long-term vision is not just growth in numbers but research output, industry partnerships, and global impact. 'It took us 61 years to get our first Nobel Prize back in York. It's our ambition that it won't take that long in Mumbai,' he said. The University of York's Mumbai campus is expected to open doors in 2026.
India Gazette
14-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
IICT, University of York sign MoU to foster talent in creative technologies
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 14 (ANI): The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) formalised a partnership with the University of York, United Kingdom, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Mumbai on Saturday. This partnership aims to open new frontiers across future-ready disciplines, including Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR), filmmaking, and design, per the press note shared by IICT. The collaboration involves CoStar Live Lab, a research lab led by the University of York. The partnership will focus on dual-degree pathways, joint curriculum development, startup incubation, and immersive learning experiences designed to nurture India's next generation of creative technologists and storytellers, stated the press note. The agreement, signed by Dr. Vishwas Deoskar, CEO of IICT, and Professor Charlie Jeffery, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of York, spans a five-year term and aims to significantly enhance the academic and professional scope for Indian learners. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Vishwas Deoskar, CEO of IICT, said, 'This MoU represents not just an academic partnership but a shared vision for the future of creative education. We are thrilled to collaborate with an institution of York's global repute. Together, we aim to empower Indian students with international exposure and transformative opportunities in creative technologies,' as quoted in a press note. Professor Charlie Jeffery commented, 'We are delighted to join hands with IICT in this exciting venture. The creative industries are global in nature, and this partnership enables students in both India and the UK to benefit from shared expertise, cutting-edge research, and real-world innovation. It's an important step in developing talent that will shape the future of storytelling and digital experience.' This partnership is expected to add momentum to India's ambition of becoming a global hub for creative technology education and innovation. With the University of York joining the growing list of global collaborators at IICT, the institute continues to build an impressive global academic network to train and empower India's creative and digital talent pool, as per the IICT press note. (ANI)
BBC News
04-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
University of York plans to open campus in India
The University of York has announced plans to open a new campus in institution said it had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chief Minister of the state of Maharashtra to open the site in Mumbai.A spokesperson said it hoped to begin accepting students in time for the 2026/27 academic of the University of York, Prof Charlie Jeffery, described the plan as "a really exciting venture" and a chance to contribute to the education of India's "future leaders and entrepreneurs". A university spokesperson said the next step would be to receive a licence from the University Grants Commission in India to develop the would initially offer undergraduate and post-graduate courses in computer science, with AI and cyber security, business, economics and creative industries. Prof Jeffery, who met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the plans, said: "We're working with a country that has an ambitious drive for global influence, skills development and economic growth."This is a really exciting venture and we are committed to building and strengthening our connections in India and contributing to the education of its future leaders and entrepreneurs."Studies are expected to begin in an existing building in a business quarter of Mumbai, with plans to develop a full campus complex over the coming years. A university spokesperson said students would study in India and follow the curriculum taught at its UK base, graduating with a University of York Fadnavis, said: "It is a privilege to welcome the University of York to Mumbai as we expand world-class educational opportunities in India." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
The Hindu
03-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
University of York to open Mumbai campus by 2026, offering AI, Business, and creative courses
The University of York, one of the U.K.'s research-intensive institutions and a member of the Russell Group, plans to open a new campus in Mumbai, officials said on Friday. During the ongoing WAVES Summit in Mumbai, the university's vice-chancellor, Charlie Jeffery, discussed the initiative with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A formal memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed with the Maharashtra chief minister, paving the way for the new campus. The proposed campus is expected to welcome its first cohort of students in 2026. Subject to the final regulatory approvals from the University Grants Commission (UGC), it will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security, Business, Economics, and creative industries. It will initially open its doors in an existing building in a business quarter of Mumbai, with plans to develop a full campus complex over the coming years. Students will study in India and follow the York curriculum taught at its U.K. base, graduating with a University of York degree. Programmes in emerging fields like AI, Cyber Security, and creative industries will be designed with global industry input, boosting job readiness in high-demand sectors and opening career pathways for Indian learners. "York's global reputation rests on its outstanding achievements in teaching and research and it is one of the only four universities in the U.K. alongside Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial College London which is both in the top 10 in the U.K. for the quality of its research and has a gold ranking for the quality of its teaching," Mr. Jeffery said. Mr. Jeffery added, 'We have research strengths that align with India's priorities, especially in the areas of digital technologies, creative industries and the real-world applications for AI systems. We look forward to working with our partners in India to welcome students and establish new research opportunities'. The UGC had, in 2023, announced the setting up and operation of campuses under the Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India Regulations. The U.K.'s Southampton University is in the process of setting up its campus in India this year. Two Australian universities, Deakin and Wollongong, already have campuses in the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). The Queen's University Belfast and the Coventry University have also received approval for setting up campuses in the GIFT City. So far, no U.S. university has an offshore campus in India.
Indian Express
02-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
University of York signs MoU with Maharashtra govt to set up its first campus in Mumbai
The University of York has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra government for the setting up of its first campus in Mumbai. This comes after the university's Vice-Chancellor Professor Charlie Jeffery discussed the initiative with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the ongoing World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai. The memorandum for launching the campus for the university, which is a part of the Russell Group, was officially signed by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. While highlighting this initiative as one which would reinforce national development and facilitate the global exchange of knowledge, Fadnavis said, 'It is a privilege to welcome the University of York to Mumbai as we expand world-class educational opportunities in India. The opportunity to connect our students with the academic excellence of a Russell Group institution is particularly valuable and will offer significant academic and research benefits to students and scholars alike, while further enriching the educational landscape.' The project which also marks a research collaboration between UK and India, with a focus on teaching in the field of creative industries, a statement by the university said. ''This is a truly exciting new venture, and we are committed to building and strengthening our connections in India and contributing to the education of its future leaders and entrepreneurs. York's global reputation rests on its outstanding achievements in teaching and research and is one of only four universities in the UK – alongside Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial College London – which is both in the top 10 in the UK for the quality of its research and has a gold ranking for the quality of its teaching,' Jeffery said. He further added that the university had research strengths which align with India's priorities, 'especially in the areas of digital technologies, creative industries and the real-world applications for AI systems'. The plan for a Mumbai campus also follows the launch of its Co-Star Live Lab which, according to the university statement , can present opportunities for researchers in the UK and India to collaborate on new technologies that will enhance the gaming, TV, film, performance and entertainment sectors. 'The strong emphasis on research and innovation alongside high-quality teaching and learning will catalyse research partnerships between innovators from India and the UK. It is especially good to see the focus on the creative industries as well as courses in computer science, AI, cyber security, business and economics, all high potential sectors which will support India and UK growth,' Alison Barrett, Country Director, British Council India, said. The University of York is also working with Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), with researchers and experts focusing on the study of food sustainability in Odisha.
