Argus News - Dharmendra Pradhan Invites Spanish Universities To Set Up Campuses In India

New Delhi, Feb 21: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has extended a warm invitation to leading Spanish universities to establish campuses in India under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, officials said on Saturday.  

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the two-day India–Spain Higher Education Conclave in New Delhi, he emphasized India’s readiness for global academic collaboration and highlighted the importance of strengthening educational and research partnerships between the two nations.

The conclave was held on February 19–20 with the support of the Embassy of Spain in India and coincided with the India AI Impact Summit 2026.

Pradhan said that 2026 is being celebrated as the Spain–India Dual Year, commemorating 70 years of diplomatic relations. He noted that education, research, and youth exchanges are central to the shared vision of India and Spain. He underscored that artificial intelligence must strengthen human judgement, creativity, and ethical responsibility, not replace them.

The Minister further said that democracies must lead in shaping responsible innovation, and India and Spain are committed to doing exactly that. He remarked that the conference is about moving from dialogue to delivery, noting that the bridges of knowledge built today will instill confidence in tomorrow’s youth.

On his part, Spanish Ambassador Juan Antonio March Pujol expressed gratitude for Pradhan’s presence, emphasizing that knowledge strengthens societies and guides future generations. He highlighted discussions on joint research, faculty and student mobility, and startup collaborations, expressing hope that these would mature during 2026.

March Pujol also recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assurance to Spain’s leadership that academic collaboration is a top priority, with India offering maximum facilities for Spanish universities willing to open campuses.

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Prof. Eva Alcón, President of CRUE, reiterated Spain’s commitment to strengthening international academic cooperation with India. She said the summit marks the beginning of a long partnership aimed at equitable access to higher education, sustainable development, and global health.

The conclave saw participation from over 30 Spanish rectors and senior academic leaders representing CRUE, alongside nearly 70 Indian higher education institutions, reflecting strong institutional commitment to deepening academic ties.