Dharmendra Pradhan and Nayab Saini inaugurated the University of Southampton’s India campus in Gurugram.
New Delhi, India, July 16, 2025 — Dharmendra Pradhan, the Union Minister of Education, inaugurated the India campus of the University of Southampton today in Gurugram, Haryana. Nayab Singh Saini, the Chief Minister of Haryana, joined him. The event was also attended by Rao Narbir Singh, the Industries and Commerce Minister of Haryana; Lord Patel OBE, Chancellor and Member of the UK House of Lords; Ms. Lindy Cameron, the British High Commissioner to India; Mr. Mark E. Smith, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton; Ms. Eloise Phillips, Academic Provost of the University of Southampton in New Delhi; and senior officials from the Ministry of Education.
The inauguration represents a significant milestone in India’s higher education sector, celebrating five years of the National Education Policy 2020. The University of Southampton, a QS Top 100 global institution and a founding member of the UK’s Russell Group, has become the first foreign University to establish a campus in India under the University Grants Commission’s regulations for setting up and operating campuses of foreign higher educational institutions.
Mr. Pradhan congratulated the University of Southampton for establishing a state-of-the-art campus within just one year of receiving the Letter of Intent. He expressed confidence that this campus, equipped with a diverse range of innovative courses and backed by Southampton’s legacy of academic excellence, will become a distinguished institution that shapes the leaders of tomorrow. The Gurugram campus of the University of Southampton will create new synergies, foster a culture of curiosity and excellence, and provide students with an additional option to access world-class education at a more affordable cost, closer to their homes and families.
He invited leading universities from around the world to come to India to co-create innovative research, educational, and collaborative ecosystems. He emphasized that together, they should work to build a bright future and drive innovation and progress.
The new Gurugram campus will provide undergraduate and postgraduate programs that meet UK academic standards.
The University plans to hire more than 75 full-time faculty members who meet UK academic standards. These faculty members will be expected to complete the University’s Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice. They bring experience from renowned educational institutions across various countries, including the UK, UAE, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Germany, Japan, and the United States.
The University of Southampton boasts a global alumni network of over 290,000 graduates, including more than 1,700 from India. Many alumni are anticipated to support the India campus by serving as mentors and industry ambassadors.
Source: Ministry of Education, Government of India
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