Category education

June 25, 2025: As Indian students continue to fuel global education aspirations, Niyo, India’s leading travel banking platform, has reported a 30% year-on-year growth in the adoption of its zero-forex markup cards among study-abroad aspirants, significantly outpacing the 17.67% growth rate in the Indian study-abroad segment. According to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) data, 1.8 million Indian students are pursuing higher education abroad in 2025, up from 1.3 million in 2023. This means Niyo is growing nearly 1.7 times faster than the overall study-abroad segment – a clear indication of growing trust in its student-centric financial solutions.

The student cohort now makes up 25% of Niyo’s total customer base, up from 20% in 2024. This steady increase indicates the platform’s growing significance within the education-focused travel banking ecosystem. A key contributor to this growth is Niyo’s strong presence in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, which now contribute 25% of all new card applications – a sign of rising student mobility and financial awareness beyond metros.

Student usage patterns are also evolving. Increasingly, students are opting to use Niyo’s zero-forex markup card well before departure for payments related to college/university application fees, admission deposits, SEVIS/IHS charges, visa fees, accommodation bookings, and more. On average, each student transacts approximately USD 5,000 prior to travelling abroad, highlighting the card’s critical role in the pre-departure financial journey.

Beyond the prominent metro cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, etc., in the last one year, Niyo saw an uptick in demand from students in Jalandhar, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Surat, Ernakulam, Guntur, and more.

Vinay Bagri, Co-founder and CEO, Niyo, said, “We have always believed that international education requires international banking preparedness. Today’s students are financially astute and proactive – they seek seamless, global-ready financial solutions even before their journey begins. From our zero-forex card and instant remittance tools to 24-hour card delivery and 15+ in-app services, Niyo is helping make global ambitions financially viable for Indian families.”

To further support this evolving behaviour, Niyo recently launched a zero-fee international money transfer service, allowing families to remit tuition fees, blocked accounts (averaging ₹12 lakh), rent, and living expenses – all without Forex, SWIFT or platform charges. This enables savings of up to ₹25,000 per ₹10 lakh transfer, offering meaningful value in a traditionally high-cost remittance space.

Currently, 60% of Niyo’s student cardholders are headed to traditional destinations such as the USA, UK, Canada, Germany, and Australia. However, there is also a noticeable rise in adoption across emerging destinations, including Ireland, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Italy – particularly among MBBS aspirants and students pursuing alternative education pathways across Europe.

With its student-first approach, expanding product suite, and growing adoption across India, Niyo is well-positioned to become the default travel banking choice for Indian students. The company aims to capture a 50% market share in the student travel banking space within the next two years.

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, 25th June, 2025: Kanak Talware, a third-year B.Tech student from the Department of Chemical Engineering at Jawaharlal Nehru Engineering College, MGM University, has been awarded a design patent by the Government of India for his innovative work on developing a ‘Bioethanol Production System from Sugarcane Juice’.

This pioneering research was carried out under the mentorship and support of Dr. Ravindra Gaikwad and Akash Vani from MGM University, along with Dr. Annasaheb Varade and Ravindra Nibe from Pravara Rural Engineering College, Loni. In total, five researchers jointly secured the patent, marking a significant milestone in sustainable energy research and biofuel technology.

The achievement has been met with wide acclaim, both within academic circles and beyond, for its potential contribution to clean energy solutions and agricultural resource utilization.

On this occasion, Kanak Talware and the team received heartfelt congratulations and commendations from Hon’ble Chancellor Shri Ankushrao Kadam, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Vilas Sapkal, Registrar Dr. Ashish Gadekar, Dean Dr. H.H. Shinde, Principal Dr. Vijaya Musande, Head of Department Dr. Sadanand Guhe, and all associated faculty members.

This recognition highlights MGM University’s commitment to fostering research-driven innovation and encouraging young minds to address real-world challenges through science and technology.

Raipur, India – June 25, 2025: ITM University is proud to announce its outstanding recognition in the Indian Institutional Ranking Framework (IIRF) 2025 Rankings, having been ranked 4th in the state of Chhattisgarh and 9th among all universities in Central India. These prestigious distinctions reflect the University’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and the holistic development of its students.

Further strengthening its national presence, ITM University has also achieved the remarkable milestone of being ranked 92nd across India. This national ranking is a testament to the University’s dedication to maintaining high standards in higher education and its continued progress toward academic distinction at a national level.

This recognition is a testament to the collective efforts of ITM University’s faculty, students, and administrative team. With a strong emphasis on research, industry-aligned curriculum, and holistic development, the university continues to set new benchmarks in the field of higher education.

Dr. Lakshmi Murthy, Pro-Vice Chancellor, ITM University, shared their thoughts on this achievement, “This milestone is a proud moment for the whole ITM University community. It represents our commitment to excellence in our academic offerings, and our institutional intent to create graduates who are competent in a global context seeking to lead with knowledge, integrity, and purpose.”

Located in Raipur, ITM University is a multi-disciplinary institution that provides a variety of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs. ITM University’s world class infrastructure, useful faculty and student first approach continues to empower the future leaders and innovators.

Commenting on the growth, Anuj Vishwakarma, COO, upGrad said, “We’re seeing a definitive shift in how learners across India and global markets are approaching career growth – shorter, job-aligned programs are no longer optional; they’re essential. Micro-creds & short formats are now a preferred choice for those looking to improve speed, relevance, and ROI. As demand deepens across Bharat and international hubs, we’re strategically expanding our portfolio to build a globally fluent, industry-ready talent pipeline that can thrive in a borderless workforce. We partner with sector leaders to ensure our course remains relevant and drive maximum learning impact.”

A testament to this is an upGrad learner Chinmay Nemade – who completed upGrad-enabled Professional Certificate in Business Analytics & Consulting with PwC and transitioned into a consulting role at a top digital marketing and analytics firm – achieving a 100% CTC hike in the process. “Coming from a civil engineering background, I wanted more than just tool knowledge – I wanted real-world business insights and this program delivered exactly that. The PwC mentors, hands-on learning, and career development helped me confidently transition into a consulting role”, he added.

Bengaluru, 23 June 2025: In a move to foster environmental stewardship among the youth, Ryan International Academy partnered with Rotary Bangalore Orchards for a massive tree-planting drive across four of its Bengaluru campuses. Notable Rotarians and Ryan students, as part of the ‘Each One, Plant One’ program, planted over 1,200 fruit-bearing saplings this week. For students, it was an experiential lesson on ecological responsibility.

The programme aligns with the 12-point vision of Dr AF Pinto, Chairman of the Ryan Group of Institutions, derived from the international theme “Our Land. Our Future. We are #GenerationRestoration,” highlighting the strength of afforestation and environmental restoration in prevention of climate change and land degradation. The plantation drives were conducted at Ryan International Academy campuses at Sarjapur, Kanakapura Road, Magadi Road, and Horamavu. Ryan Group will take this partnership with Rotary Club on a national scale across all its schools.

This massive greening effort was made possible by the support of Rotary Bangalore Orchards, with all 1,200 saplings generously donated by Mr. Ravishankar Dakoju. Each student is entrusted to caring and nurturing a sapling — increasing personal ownership and ecological consciousness on the part of the students.

A variety of fruit-bearing saplings were planted, including 200 each of Laxman Phal, Mango, Jamun, and Jackfruit, along with 100 each of Seethaphal, Guava, Gooseberry and Rose Apple.

The events were a collaborative community affair, with eight Rotarians participating across the four campuses. The activity at the Horamavu campus was attended by students, staff, and two distinguished Rotarians, including Mr. Neil Michael Joseph, who participated at all the four campuses.

Mr. Neil Michael Joseph, a green leader, social entrepreneur, and Director of Bhagirathi Group and Happiness in Transit, said: “While we are in the transport business, we are contributing to pollution, so we asked ourselves, how do we reduce our carbon footprint? And that led us to plants. As a Rotarian, I care about environmental renewal. What Ryan is doing with Each One, Plant One is truly visionary—getting children involved in tree planting creates a long-term emotional and ethical connection to nature.

I’m especially impressed with the idea of entrusting children with nurturing saplings—what a beautiful way to grow both a child and a tree together. We at Rotary are restoring 1,500 acres of barren land in Challakere as Dakoju Rotary Forest. We are happy to spread the same here, and we commit to taking this initiative to more cities.”

The plantation drive was a live classroom, where children learned about how trees clean the air, prevent soil erosion, and support biodiversity. Children also took a Green Pledge to take care of their sapling and embrace sustainable practices such as water conservation and plastic reduction.

This project underscores Ryan Group’s abiding commitment to integrating academic excellence with environmental values. As the plants find root, so does a deeper awareness among students of their place in preserving Earth for generations to come.

23rd June 2025: Students at the University of Southampton’s flagship Delhi campus will get opportunities for internships, placements and graduate employment, thanks to an agreement with Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed to strengthen industry-academia collaboration and foster work-ready skills among students, enhancing access to internships and industry placement opportunities.

Through this collaboration, students will benefit from Deloitte India’s deep expertise across technology and transformation, strategy, finance, and other critical services. The partnership will facilitate guest lectures, practical learning sessions, and career-shaping work opportunities at the University’s state-of-the-art campus located at the International Tech Park in Gurgaon.

The agreement aims to nurture future-ready graduates by connecting academic learning with real-world insights. In addition to student engagement, the partnership lays the foundation for long-term collaboration across innovation, civic and community initiatives, and joint research or knowledge-sharing platforms between Deloitte and the University.

Professor Andrew Atherton, Vice-President International and Engagement at the University of Southampton, said: “Our University prides itself on our excellence in education, our world-leading research and our strong global connections with business and industry. This triple helix of education, research and engagement sits at the heart of our strategy and is a defining feature of our Delhi campus.

“Our collaboration with Deloitte India will provide students at the University of Southampton Delhi with an exciting opportunity to connect with leaders in their fields to gain valuable real-life insights and experience, as well as work experience and employment opportunities.”

Kamlesh Vyas, Partner, Deloitte India added: “Quality higher education is the cornerstone of unlocking India’s demographic dividend. Internationalisation at home with entry of leading foreign universities marks an inflexion point for higher education in India.

“We are committed to supporting leading foreign universities entering India and Indian universities as they continue to strive for helping our students meet their aspirations. We believe that it will provide world class higher education and research opportunities to our students within the country.

“Our collaboration with the University of Southampton Delhi reflects Deloitte’s continued commitment to our higher education and to nation-building.”

Scheduled to open in August, the University of Southampton Delhi is the first international campus approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under India’s National Education Policy. The campus will initially offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in economics, finance, computing, and business—curricula specifically designed to prepare students for global careers.

In addition to receiving support within the campus, students will have access to the wider University’s market-leading employability development offering, consisting of online resources, regular workshops, one-to-one guidance and support with qualified careers professionals.

This partnership with Deloitte India adds to a growing list of strategic collaborations at the Delhi campus, including those with Investec and Comviva—further cementing the University’s commitment to integrating industry engagement into academic delivery.

June 23, 2025: VAHDAM® India, one of the country’s leading homegrown wellness brands taking India’s finest teas, herbs, and botanicals to the world, has announced the 2025 edition of the Nandlall & Savita Devi Sarda Scholarship under its flagship TEACH ME® initiative.

Launched in 2018, TEACH ME® is VAHDAM®’s long-standing social impact program that supports the education of farmers’ children. The initiative includes two key components — the establishment of Digital Learning Centres (DLCs) across rural India, and a scholarship program offering direct financial aid to deserving students.

The scholarship arm, formally launched in 2020, has now been significantly upgraded in the 2025 edition — expanding its reach and increasing the level of support through three structured programs: SPARK, ASCEND, and AIM.

The scholarship is open to students from key tea, herb, and spice-growing regions across India, including West Bengal (Darjeeling, Siliguri, Dooars, Terai), Sikkim, Assam, Tamil Nadu (Nilgiris), Himachal Pradesh (Kangra Valley), Kerala, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.

Key Programs Under the Scholarship :

SPARK – Foundation Program 10,000 scholarships for top-performing 10th-grade students.
Status: 20 students awarded in 2025

ASCEND– Preparation Program: Offers structured coaching and full or partial financial aid for students preparing for competitive exams including NEET, JEE, CAT, CLAT, and other government exams for Higher Education, in partnership with top coaching institutes. Applications for 2025 now open

AIM – Development Program Provides scholarships of up to 3 lakhs to students who have secured admission to recognised undergraduate or postgraduate institutions. 74 scholarships awarded to date

Bala Sarda, Founder & CEO, VAHDAM® India, said: “We launched the TEACH ME® initiative in 2018 with a simple belief — to support the very people who grow and nurture our teas, herbs, and botanicals with immense love, care, and passion.

We believe that every child from these farming communities deserves access to quality education, regardless of their background.

This scholarship is very close to our hearts. It’s our small way of giving back to the hands and families that make everything we do possible.

Through the 2025 edition, we hope to reach more deserving students and help unlock the power of education in shaping brighter futures.”

INDIA, 23 June 2025: Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) has announced the appointment of Prof. M. Satish Kumar, as first Dean of its new campus in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), India. Prof Kumar will take up the role in July 2025 and will be based in GIFT City, providing academic leadership across the faculties for the new campus, which will welcome its first cohort of students in early 2026.

Prior to this appointment, Prof. Kumar was based in the School of Natural and Built Environment at QUB for over 25 years. He previously held role as Director of Queen’s Academy India and of Internationalisation, playing a pivotal role in enhancing the University’s global presence in South Asia.
In addition to his role at Queen’s, Prof. Kumar has also held several Visiting Professorships at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi; Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi and the University of Calcutta, Kolkata.

Prof Kumar comments on his appointment: “I’m honoured to take on this pivotal role as we establish Queen’s University’s new international branch campus at GIFT City. This landmark development represents a signifcant step in our global engagement strategy – enabling us to extend Queen’s world-class education to new regions while forging deep, long-term partnerships with industry and academic stakeholders in India. Together, we aim to contribute meaningfully to the evolving transnational education and economic landscape of the region”.

Professor Sir Ian Greer, President and Vice-Chancellor QUB, says: “I’m delighted to welcome Prof. Satish Kumar to lead Queen’s new campus in India. His leadership will strengthen our academic partnerships and foster collaboration with industry and government to deliver an enriching student experience. This marks a major milestone as we become the first UK Russell Group University in GIFT City. I look forward to working with him as we move towards our opening next year and unlock new opportunities for students, staff, and the wider community.”

Professor Margaret Topping, Pro-Vice Chancellor Global Engagement QUB, said: “We are delighted to appoint Satish as our first Dean of Gift City. This is a critical role which will set firm foundations for our staff, students and partners in the country. Satish brings with him a wealth of experience in developing intersectoral partnerships and a thriving collaborative learning environment.”

In addition to Prof. Kumar, we will soon be announcing the appointment of the academic staf who will lead on programme delivery on the campus. We will ofer a portfolio of fve postgraduate programmes initially, tailored to the specifc needs of the Indian economy.

20 June, 2025– BITS Pilani, an institute of eminence,  announces its exceptional performance in the newly released QS World University Rankings (WUR) 2026. The university has notably strengthened its distinction as the No. 1 private university in India for Employment Outcomes, a testament to its consistent excellence in preparing graduates for successful careers. BITS Pilani is the fastest-rising Indian university in the QS World University Rankings over the past four years. This achievement marks a significant leap forward in its global standing and reinforces its position as a premier institution for higher education in India.

BITS Pilani’s unwavering commitment to producing highly sought-after graduates is vividly reflected in its remarkable ascent in the Employment Outcomes metric. The university has made a substantial leap from a global rank of 461 in the 2025 rankings to an impressive 302 in 2026. This significant improvement underscores the institution’s robust industry connections, innovative curriculum design, and dedicated career services, all of which collectively equip students with the essential skills and knowledge demanded by today’s competitive global job market.

Speaking on the achievement, Prof Ramgopal Rao, VC, BITS Pilani said, “We are incredibly proud of our consistent recognition as India’s top private university for employment outcomes, a distinction we have held for many consecutive years. This achievement is a profound testament to the diligent work of our esteemed faculty, the unwavering dedication of our bright students, and the strong, synergistic partnerships we have meticulously cultivated with leading industries. Our core focus remains steadfast on providing an education that is not only academically rigorous and intellectually stimulating but also directly relevant and highly responsive to the evolving needs of the global workforce.”

Beyond its exceptional performance in employment outcomes, BITS Pilani has demonstrated significant progress across several other pivotal QS WUR 2026 metrics. The university saw a substantial leap in Citation per Faculty, improving from a global rank of 596 in 2025 to 480 in 2026. This remarkable advancement, coupled with an India rank of 2 among Private Universites, powerfully highlights the increasing impact and superior quality of research conducted by BITS Pilani faculty.

In the comprehensive QS World University Rankings 2026, BITS Pilani was rigorously evaluated among a vast pool of 8467 institutions globally, with 1501 institutions ultimately published across 106 diverse locations. Within this competitive landscape, and specifically among the 54 Indian institutions that were published, BITS Pilani achieved an impressive overall world rank of 668, reflecting its strong position among the world’s leading universities.

The institution remains deeply committed to fostering a truly global, inclusive, and diverse academic environment that attracts talent from across the world and promotes collaborative research.