Declaration on the Role of Higher Education in Re-establishing India as Vishwa Guru, or Teacher to the World

We, the participants, as representatives of higher education institutions and stakeholder organizations, recognize the crucial role that higher education plays in the development of a strong and prosperous nation. Drawing on our nation's history of ancient wisdom and science, combined with learning and evolving methods of modern science and technology, and guided by a spirit of ethical and democratic principles, Indian higher education institutions are equipped to produce graduates well-prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities for the global community now and in the future.

By harnessing the power of higher education, India can once again become one of the world's significant models for an advanced and harmonious society. We therefore declare the following:

1. Advance Quality at All Levels of Higher Education:Through attention to institutional governance, curricular design, and student support infrastructure, we will promote quality at all levels of higher education. We commit to pursuing opportunities to understand and share best practices in classroom pedagogy, instructional innovation, and experiential learning to ensure that Indian universities provide the necessary quality in undergraduate and graduate education, as well as much-needed upskilling, professional development and continuing education programs.

2. Build an Accessible, Inclusive, and Affordable Higher Education System: We will work to create an inclusive and equitable higher education system, where opportunities are accessible to all, regardless of gender, background or socioeconomic status. We will work to provide access for students from under-privileged strata of society to quality higher education.

3. Promote a Culture of Excellence in Research and Innovation: We believe research for the purposes of discovery and innovation is a fundamental aspect of social and economic development, and that an environment of free and ethical inquiry is essential to research that will truly better society. We commit to providing opportunities to develop meaningful research programs, foster collaboration within and across institutions, promote entrepreneurial thinking and learning, and effectively pursue governmental funding and corporate partnerships.

4. Pursue Sustainability and Social Betterment: We will steadfastly support research and development of new technologies and approaches that have the potential to promote sustainability on campus, in the community and across the world, and we will promote ethical, responsible, and sustainable means to bring these technologies to market. The pursuit of knowledge and innovative practices that contribute to uplifting society and addressing shared challenges is essential to a successful future for India and the world.

5. Demonstrate the Value of Internationalisation and Global Connections in Education: We will work to ensure that all higher education institutions actively internationalise their curricula, pedagogy, innovation culture and research, and we will develop opportunities for partnership and exchange with institutions around the world.

6. Promote the Cultural Heritage of India: We hereby commit to promoting and strengthening the cultural and spiritual heritage of Indian higher education. By working to advance higher education in India, we strengthen the institutions that help to preserve and pass on India's heritage and values to future generations.

Through this statement, we resolve to take action to realize the power of higher education in India so that the nation will once again become a Vishwa Guru, engaging as a respected partner in the global community which seeks to advance a just sustainable and harmonious world.