Sashi Gundala, Director of Operations at the Aspiring Leaders India Foundation, has highlighted the transformative potential of offshore university campuses in India. According to Gundala, these campuses could significantly democratise access to world-class global education, especially for middle-income families, by reducing the financial and logistical barriers of studying abroad.
“Offshore campuses have the potential to lower the cost of education and make international credentials more attainable without the financial and cultural burdens of relocating abroad,” Gundala explained. She pointed out that Indian families currently spend billions in foreign exchange to send their children overseas for degrees, and bringing world-class programmes to India could help retain that capital while still providing access to high-quality education.
Beyond direct cost savings, Gundala believes that offshore campuses could also expand geographical access to education. “Students who are not financially able to relocate to the US, UK, or Australia for several years could pursue similar academic pathways within India,” she said. This shift would reduce both the opportunity cost and the financial burden on families, making global education more inclusive. She further noted that if degree recognition and employer acceptance evolve positively, the participation in such programmes could rise significantly.
India’s demographic scale and its growing youth population put the country in a unique position to benefit from offshore campuses. Gundala cited the National Education Policy’s reforms, which allow foreign institutions to operate more freely in India, as a key factor in India’s attractiveness as a host nation. “India offers one of the largest, most diverse, and future-ready talent pools, far beyond what other emerging markets can offer,” she stated.
While metropolitan areas are expected to be the primary hubs for offshore campuses due to their well-established infrastructure, Gundala also sees strong potential in Tier 2 cities. “Tier 2 cities are becoming increasingly viable for offshore campuses, particularly as infrastructure improves, local demand for quality education expands, and the talent pool grows,” she said. Gundala highlighted cities such as Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai, and Ahmedabad as emerging contenders due to their growing innovation ecosystems and strategic investments in education.
According to Gundala’s analysis, Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, and Mumbai are the best positioned to host offshore campuses, with their large student populations, strong industry linkages, research networks, and global connectivity. However, she noted that cities like Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai, and Ahmedabad are quickly catching up, with their developing infrastructure and expanding education sectors making them competitive options for international institutions.
In conclusion, Gundala’s insights paint a promising future for offshore campuses in India. With the potential to make global education more accessible and affordable, these campuses could reshape the higher education landscape, offering opportunities for students across the country to pursue world-class academic credentials closer to home.
