The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has released a strategy paper aimed at further strengthening academic cooperation between Germany and India, presented at the Indo-German Forum in New Delhi. The paper highlights India’s growing significance in the global academic and scientific landscape, driven by significant investments in research and innovation, particularly in fields like artificial intelligence, quantum research, and sustainable energy. With a rapidly expanding higher education system that boasts over 46,000 universities and 43 million students, India is emerging as a global centre of scientific excellence. 

The DAAD’s paper stresses the strategic importance of academic collaboration with India, noting that the country is expected to become the third-largest economy by 2030. With an increasing demand for higher education and a rising interest in study abroad opportunities, Germany is well-positioned to benefit from this growth, with over 50,000 Indian students already studying at German universities. 

The DAAD offers four key recommendations for German universities to enhance cooperation with India. First, universities should establish and expand strategic partnerships, particularly with institutions outside of India’s major metropolitan areas, as well as collaborate more with Indian non-university research institutions. Second, attracting highly qualified Indian students is crucial, and universities should ensure that recruitment processes prioritise quality while providing tailored support to help students transition to the German labour market. Third, there is great potential for innovation partnerships, particularly in technology transfer and the dynamic Indian startup ecosystem. Finally, universities should develop deeper regional expertise by increasing mobility from Germany to India to promote mutual knowledge exchange. 

Read more in DAAD’s press release.