The challenge
India’s National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) placed internationalisation at the heart of higher education reform. However, institutions across the country were at vastly different stages of readiness. Advance HE, in partnership with the British Council, was tasked with designing and delivering a programme to:
- Equip staff with the skills to lead and embed internationalisation
- Build institutional capacity for internationalisation
- Establish effective international offices
- Create sustainable partnerships between Indian and UK universities
Advance HE partners with institutions to build sustainable internationalisation strategies aligned with national priorities. Through consultancy-led programmes, we support universities to develop global partnerships, enhance staff capabilities, and create student-ready international offices.
Participating in this workshop has been a transformative experience. The resources, activities and support provided have significantly enhanced our ability to foster excellence in education and leadership.
Dr. Shrea Dhar, MIT ADT University, Maharashtra
Our approach
Advance HE led a comprehensive programme across two of India’s most reform-minded states—Maharashtra and Karnataka—working with 60 universities through:
- Train-the-trainer methodology: Ensuring long-term knowledge transfer and sustainability
- Strategic development: Helping institutions align internationalisation with broader goals and secure senior leadership buy-in
- Operational delivery: Training staff to manage international offices, student support, marketing, and visa processes
- Blended learning model: Online sessions followed by intensive in-person workshops in each state
Key outcomes and impact
- 60 universities engaged
- International offices established or strengthened
- Tailored internationalisation strategies developed
- Internal teams trained to lead implementation
- 12 Indian universities expressed interest in UK collaborations
- Advance HE is developing a partnership database to facilitate connections across research, student exchange, and joint programmes
Improved support services for international students, including accommodation, extracurriculars, and visa processing
- Institutions now have targeted marketing strategies to attract international students more effectively
- Strong support from state governments and UK universities (Manchester Metropolitan University and Edinburgh Napier University)
- In-country expertise ensured contextual relevance and cultural alignment
Why institutions choose Advance HE
Advance HE is the trusted partner for higher education institutions seeking to elevate teaching, leadership and global engagement. Our evidence-based, consultancy-led approach ensures every programme is tailored to institutional goals, national priorities and global standards. We bring:
- a collaborative approach ensuring relevance and ownership.
- global expertise and decades of experience
- strategic alignment to support national policies and institutional strategies
- professional recognition
- sustainable impact through train-the-trainer models and leadership development
