Published: Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Bristol University Sets Historic Precedent with Mumbai Campus
The University of Bristol has achieved a milestone by becoming the first UK top-10 university to receive approval for establishing an Indian campus. The Mumbai 'Enterprise Campus' is scheduled to open by summer 2026, following formal approval from India's University Grants Commission (UGC).
Bristol's Vice Chancellor, Professor Evelyn Welch, received the Letter of Intent from Vineet Joshi, Secretary of Higher Education and Acting Chairman of UGC, during the fifth anniversary celebrations of India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The university, ranked 51st globally in the latest QS World University Rankings, represents a significant addition to India's transnational education landscape.
The Mumbai campus will focus on cutting-edge fields including data science, economics, finance, immersive arts, and financial technology. Future expansion plans include computer science, artificial intelligence, business, and management programs. The campus aims to mirror Bristol's upcoming Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus in the UK, which is also scheduled to open in September 2026.
Bristol becomes the fourth foreign university to receive approval to operate in India. Previously, Australia's Deakin University and the University of Wollongong received permission to establish campuses in Gujarat's GIFT City, while Florida International University from the US has also announced Indian campus plans.
Professor Michele Acuto, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement at Bristol, emphasised that the project extends beyond establishing a new location—it represents a long-term commitment to engage directly with Indian learners and institutions. The university plans to co-create a campus that reflects Mumbai's energy and growing innovation ecosystem.
Kendriya Vidyalaya Enrollment Hits Five-Year Low
Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) is experiencing its lowest enrollment figures in five years, raising concerns about the central government school system's appeal among defence personnel and central government employees. The declining numbers reflect broader challenges facing government educational institutions amid increasing competition from private schools and changing parental preferences.
The enrollment drop across KV schools nationwide suggests shifting educational priorities among the target demographic, particularly defence families who traditionally relied on these institutions for consistent education during frequent transfers. This trend could impact the KVS network's sustainability and effectiveness in serving its intended beneficiaries.
The decline comes at a time when the government is emphasising quality improvements in public education through various initiatives under NEP 2020. The situation calls for a comprehensive analysis of factors contributing to reduced enrollment and strategic interventions to restore confidence in the KV system.
University of Glasgow Offers Prestigious MBA Scholarships
The University of Glasgow has announced the Glasgow MBA Scholarship 2025, providing financial support up to EUR 18,750 (approximately ₹17 lakh) for talented international students. This one-time scholarship is designed to promote diversity, equality, and inclusion within the university's globally recognised business program.
The scholarship is open to applicants from select countries, including India, who have received either unconditional offers or conditional offers based solely on English language proficiency for the September 2025 MBA intake. Candidates must demonstrate first-class academic achievement or outstanding professional track records and successfully complete the university's interview process.
Eligible countries include Bangladesh, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Egypt, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, the United States, Vietnam, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The application process requires students to first secure admission to the MBA program before accessing the Glasgow MBA Scholarship Application Form through the university's online portal. Required documents include academic transcripts, degree certificates, references, and English language proficiency proof such as IELTS or TOEFL scores. All files must be uploaded in specified formats with individual files not exceeding 5MB and total uploads limited to 10MB.
The application deadline was July 21, 2025, with selection based on eligibility criteria and the strength of applicants' academic and professional backgrounds. Financial need may also be considered during the evaluation process.
NEET PG 2025 Exam Centre Allocation Sparks Controversy
As the NEET PG 2025 examination approaches on August 3, widespread anxiety has gripped medical aspirants who have been assigned exam centres in distant states. The Indian Medical Association–Junior Doctors' Network (IMA-JDN) has written to Union Health Minister J P Nadda, urging immediate intervention to address these allocation concerns.
The IMA-JDN highlighted significant disparities in centre allocation, noting that while some students received centres close to their hometowns, many others have been assigned venues in far-off states, forcing them to undertake long and costly journeys. This situation particularly affects candidates from economically weaker families, women, and those residing in remote or rural regions.
The medical association has requested the Health Ministry to instruct the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) to reopen the exam centre change portal, allowing candidates to select centres closer to their residences. The organization warned that such disparities not only compromise fairness but may also impact students' mental health and performance in this critical, once-a-year examination.
The NBEMS released exam intimation slips on July 21, with admit cards scheduled for release on July 31. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is set to hear petitions on August 3 questioning the transparency of the NEET PG evaluation system. These petitions include demands for releasing question papers, answer keys, and detailed response sheets to address concerns about accountability in the evaluation process.
