The US and India are to establish offshore campuses of top US universities in India as a move towards furthering their educational relationship. The move is to open access for Indian students to American education via twinning schemes and joint degrees.
Both presidents recently made headlines when, during a meeting, they highlighted the value of global academic partnership in creating an economically ready workforce and driving innovation.
In the joint press statement, it said, “Through initiatives like joint/dual degree and twinning programs, establishing joint centres of excellence, and setting up offshore campuses of premier educational institutions of the US in India, both leaders resolved to strengthen collaborations between the higher education institutions, acknowledging the importance of international academic collaborations in fostering innovation, improving learning outcomes, and developing a workforce ready for the future.”
Current and future Indian students, though, have been divided in their perception of this trend, especially on the possible trade-offs between overseas experience and economic savings.
Cost Benefits vs. International Experience
Aditi Mehra, pursuing her master’s in computer science, sees potential in the initiative. “Most students, particularly from the middle class, are reluctant to study abroad owing to cost concerns,” she notes. “If these campuses are able to provide the same curriculum, quality teachers, and access to research, then American education would be available to more Indians.”
Rohan Nair from the University of Pennsylvania, however, highlights the priceless value of studying overseas. “An international campus experience is not merely academic but also cultural immersion, networking, and exposure to global employment markets,” he contends. “Offshore campuses may offer the same curriculum, but the peer group and exposure will not be the same.”
Field-Specific considerations
The importance of location varies by field of study. On condition of anonymity another Indian student who is pursuing a master’s in semiconductor engineering, highlights this aspect and said, “For students in technical and hardware-focused fields like mine, where hands-on lab work, advanced equipment, and industry collaborations are crucial, an offshore U.S. campus would not provide the same opportunities as studying in the U.S. The greatest advantage of being here is access to cutting-edge research labs, high-end manufacturing facilities, and direct interaction with top-tier industry professionals. Without these, an offshore campus would not be as beneficial for students in my field. However, for theoretical subjects, it might still be a viable option.”
Employment concern
The other concern that was shared by the students is offshore campuses’ global acceptance of the degrees. Rahul Sharma, a future data science student, shares this fear and stated, “If I attend an offshore campus in India, I fear employers will not recognise my degree to be the same as one done in the U.S.”
For others, the cost factor plays a major role in their choice. Mehak Verma, a final-year undergraduate student preparing for an MBA, said, “If an American university is offering the same standard of education at an off-campus site in India for much lower fees, I’d definitely think about it.” But she further states that the value of these degrees in the global marketplace remains an important consideration.
Though the initiative promises to open up the American education system to Indians, concerns remain with regard to the comparability of degrees, quality of the networking process, and global career opportunities.
