Srinagar, Oct. 17 -- India is opening the gates of its higher education system to foreign universities. But global brands alone cannot rescue an education system struggling with questions of quality, affordability, research and employability. The real challenge is to ensure that internationalization becomes academic transformation-not simply commercial expansion.

For decades, Indian students have spent enormous amounts of money travelling overseas for higher education. Now, instead of sending students abroad, India wants to bring global universities to Indian soil. The University Grants Commission (UGC) notified regulations in 2023 for the setting up and operation of campuses of foreign higher educational institutions in India. This mark...