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University signs India education agreement at global summit

University signs India education agreement at global summit

Posted on 2 February 2026

The University of York has become the first Russell Group institution to sign a strategic agreement with the National Indian Students and Alumni Union UK (NISAU).

Vice-Chancellor Professor Charlie Jeffery speaking at the Global Education Summit

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed following the inaugural India Global Education Summit, where the University was also confirmed as a founding partner.

The agreement was formalised in the presence of TRB Rajaa, Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Industries, Investment Promotion and Commerce.

NISAU is the representative body for Indian students and alumni in the UK. The partnership is intended to support closer collaboration on issues including student experience, employability, alumni engagement and policy dialogue.

Student experience

The MoU reflects the University’s growing engagement with India as a strategic priority, including the development of its campus in Mumbai. The agreement, which will initially span a three-year period, places particular emphasis on ensuring a consistent student experience across the University’s UK and Indian operations.

University of York’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charlie Jeffery, said the partnership would help the institution take a more joined-up approach to international education.

He said: “As we expand our engagement with India, it is essential that we think holistically about how students experience York across geographies. Working with NISAU allows us to engage directly with student and alumni perspectives while contributing to the future of global education.”

Global education

Sanam Arora, Founder and Chair of NISAU, said the agreement marked a shift in how universities work with student communities.

She said: “The University of York becoming the first Russell Group institution to sign a strategic MoU with NISAU sends a strong signal that student experience, employability and ethical internationalisation are central to global education strategy.”

Speaking at the summit, Minister TRB Rajaa said partnerships of this kind aligned with Tamil Nadu’s ambitions to become a global centre for education and innovation.

He said: “The India Global Education Summit provides an important platform for such partnerships, and it is encouraging to see institutions like the University of York engaging with India in a thoughtful and long-term manner.”