By team abhyaspeeth 
Special Correspondent
Mumbai: Indian students will no longer need to go abroad for higher education, as the Government of Maharashtra today signed Letters of Intent (LoIs) with five international universities under the National Education Policy (NEP). These global universities are setting up India’s first international education hub in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, announced Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
At the ‘Mumbai Rising: Creating an International Education City’ event held at Hotel Taj, LoIs were exchanged with five renowned global universities. Chief Minister Fadnavis addressed the gathering, which was attended by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, State Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, UGC Chairman and Union Education Secretary Vinit Joshi, Additional Chief Secretary Asimkumar Gupta, CIDCO MD Vijay Singhal, UK High Commissioner Lindy Cameron, Australian Consul General Paul Murphy, US Consul General Mike Hankey, Italian Consul General Walter Ferrara, and university representatives including Prof. Siladitya Bhattacharya (University of Aberdeen), Prof. Charlie Jeffrey (University of York), Guy Littlefair (University of Western Australia), Raj Echambadi (Illinois Institute of Technology), and Riccardo Balbo (IED).
Fadnavis stated that five top universities — the University of Aberdeen (Scotland, UK), University of York (UK), University of Western Australia (Australia), Illinois Institute of Technology (USA), and Istituto Europeo di Design (Italy) — are setting up full-fledged campuses in the Navi Mumbai International Airport region. This area will also see the development of a MedCity, Sports City, and Innovation City in the coming years. Eventually, the plan is to host at least ten universities in this education hub, making it a center of learning and research. Mumbai, currently known for finance, industry, and entertainment, will gain a new identity as an Educational City. This initiative will play a crucial role in realizing the vision of a developed India by 2047.
He emphasized that these campuses will align with the goals of the National Education Policy 2020. With major infrastructure like the Navi Mumbai International Airport and Atal Setu already in place, and world-class connectivity being developed, this hub will be highly accessible to students and faculty. Fadnavis added that the MoUs with these five universities are just the beginning, and the government is ready to welcome more institutions in the future. He also mentioned the recent MoU signed between Western University and Gondwana University.
“New Education Policy Will Drive India’s Development” : Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated that Mumbai, the city of dreams and India’s financial capital, is set to become a major education hub. The involvement of these five foreign universities will be critical. India has had a global reputation in education since ancient times, and under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, several initiatives are being implemented to realize the vision of a developed India. The NEP will allow global institutions to establish branches in India, and Indian institutions to open campuses abroad. This will make world-class education affordable and accessible to Indian students. He highlighted that prestigious Indian institutions like IITs, IIMs, and Symbiosis have already started international campuses. The entry of foreign universities will accelerate India’s progress in education and development.
The event also included a tribute to those who lost their lives in the recent Ahmedabad tragedy. The program was compered by Kaustubh Dhavse, Chief Minister’s Officer on Special Duty, and the welcome address was delivered by CIDCO MD Vijay Singhal. UGC Chairman Vinit Joshi also shared his thoughts.
Five Global Universities Coming to Navi Mumbai
University of Aberdeen (UK):One of the oldest universities in the UK, it becomes the first Scottish university to establish a campus in India. It has longstanding academic collaborations with over 200 Indian institutions, including IITs, AIIMS, ICAR, ICMR, Manipal Academy, and Delhi University.
University of Western Australia (Australia):Ranked among the world’s top 100 universities and part of Australia’s prestigious Group of Eight (Go8). It will offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses in high-demand STEM fields — science, engineering, and industrial sectors — to meet the aspirations of Indian students and global workforce needs.
University of York (UK):A leading research-intensive institution and a member of the Russell Group. It will offer cutting-edge programs in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, business, economics, and creative industries. Courses will be designed with input from global industries and offer career opportunities for Indian students.
Illinois Institute of Technology (USA):The first American university to independently award degrees from a campus in India. It will offer programs in computer science, engineering, and business. Its popular ‘Elevate’ program — which includes internships, research, and competitions — will also be introduced in India.
Istituto Europeo di Design (Italy):One of Europe’s premium design schools, it will offer globally benchmarked training in fashion, product design, and visual communication