The University of East London (UEL) and the National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK have signed a first-of-its-kind pact to transform how Indian students in Britain are supported — from pre-departure to post-graduation — in what both sides hailed as a model for global higher education partnerships.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU), inked at UEL’s Stratford campus last week, creates a strategic framework to enhance student welfare, inclusion, and employability.

It aims to serve as a blueprint for best practices in international engagement — at a time when one in every twenty Indian students in the UK is enrolled at UEL.

“Internationally mobile Indian students make a hugely positive contribution to UEL and to the UK as a whole,” said Professor Amanda Broderick, UEL Vice-Chancellor. “Our collaboration with NISAU builds on our deep connections across India — from research and innovation to alumni and industry partnerships — to prepare students for global success.”

A partnership with purpose

The alliance builds on UEL’s strong industry links with leading employers such as Tata Consultancy Services, Cognizant, HSBC, Tech Mahindra, and Infosys, with the goal of co-designing skills pathways that help graduates thrive in competitive global markets.

NISAU UK Chair Sanam Arora called the partnership “a defining moment for international student welfare.”

“Together, we will ensure that Indian students and graduates not only achieve academically but also feel a deep sense of belonging in the UK,” she said. “This collaboration reflects our mission to shape a globally respected framework for student wellbeing and employability — one that institutions worldwide can emulate.”

She added that the initiative aligns with India–UK Vision 2035, the renewed bilateral roadmap signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s London visit earlier this year. The strategy places education and skills at the heart of the two nations’ partnership for the coming decade.

Education as the new bridge

UEL highlighted its India-centric research and innovation efforts already yielding tangible outcomes — from Sugarcrete’s sustainable construction project near Delhi that created jobs for women, to the ORNATE India and Naandi Foundation initiatives that advanced community healthcare.

“Together, UEL and NISAU aim to set a new benchmark for global student engagement and international collaboration, reinforcing the India–UK educational partnership and its commitment to inclusive, future-focused education,” NISAU said in a statement.

A celebration of excellence and connection

The announcement followed the launch of the fourth edition of the India–UK Achievers Honours at an exclusive House of Lords event, held amid Diwali and Bandi Chhor Diwas celebrations. The annual initiative celebrates Indian changemakers who have used their UK education to drive impact across sectors — strengthening what both governments call the “living bridge” between the two nations.

“International students bring £42 billion in value to the UK economy every year — few sectors deliver impact at that scale,” said Lord Jo Johnson, former UK Universities Minister, at the event. “We must ensure a stable policy framework so the UK remains a destination of choice for global talent.”

Indian-origin Labour MP Sonia Kumar called the awards “a celebration of soft power” and “a symbol of the enduring bond between India and the UK — built on shared values, mutual respect, and a joint pursuit of excellence.”

As the nominations for the 2026 awards open, the new UEL–NISAU partnership stands as a tangible expression of that shared vision — turning diplomacy into action, and education into empowerment.