- The MoU at GIFT City, outlines a framework for cooperation in areas such as internationalisation of education, thought leadership, knowledge exchange, and ecosystem development
- Partnering with QS will help us bring global institutions to India, strengthen knowledge exchange, and create an environment where talent can thrive: Sanjay Kaul, IAS, Managing Director & Group CEO, GIFTCL
- By working with GIFT City, we are helping to create a gateway for international universities to engage meaningfully with India, while also amplifying India’s unique strengths in talent, research, and innovation for the world: Jessica Turner, CEO of QS Quacquarelli Symonds
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR, AUG 26
Gujarat International Finance Tec-City Company Limited (GIFTCL) and QS Quacquarelli Symonds, the world’s leading provider of analytics and insights for higher education, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on initiatives that will strengthen GIFT City’s positioning as an international hub for education, innovation, and global engagement.
The MoU at GIFT City, outlines a framework for cooperation in areas such as internationalisation of education, thought leadership, knowledge exchange, and ecosystem development. It sets the stage for joint engagements that will enhance GIFT City’s visibility at global academic and policy platforms, while attracting leading universities and fostering collaborative research and innovation.
Speaking on the occasion, Sanjay Kaul, IAS, Managing Director & Group CEO, GIFTCL, said, “At GIFT City, we see education and innovation as critical enablers of our long-term vision. Partnering with QS will help us bring global institutions to India, strengthen knowledge exchange, and create an environment where talent can thrive. This will reinforce GIFT City’s position as both a financial & tech hub and a centre for world-class education and research.”
Jessica Turner, CEO of QS Quacquarelli Symonds, said, “Our partnership with GIFT City represents a bold step towards building a more connected and inclusive global education ecosystem. At QS, we believe the future of higher education will be defined by equitable collaboration—where knowledge, innovation, and opportunity flow in both directions. By working with GIFT City, we are helping to create a gateway for international universities to engage meaningfully with India, while also amplifying India’s unique strengths in talent, research, and innovation for the world. Together, we can shape a higher education landscape that is more sustainable, more innovative, and more accessible for learners everywhere.”
Dr. Ashwin Fernandes, Executive Director, QS Quacquarelli Symonds, added, “QS is delighted to partner with GIFT City in its journey towards the internationalisation of higher education. Together, we aim to create impactful platforms for knowledge exchange, policy dialogues, and institutional collaborations, positioning GIFT City as a gateway for global universities into India.”
QS recently published the Global Student Flows report, projects India is expected to remain one of the world’s leading sources of outbound students, with sustained long-term growth of more than 3% annually.” While the government’s National Education Policy is expanding domestic capacity, demand for high-quality higher education, particularly in STEM and postgraduate programmes, continues to rise as India’s population grows and urbanises. Innovative ecosystems such as GIFT City complement and exemplify these efforts by offering international universities a platform to collaborate within India, creating new pathways for world-class research, innovation, and academic exchange. GIFT City reflects India’s broader aspiration to develop as an emerging hub for global education and innovation, expanding opportunities for students and institutions alike.
