University of Northampton strengthens global ties during strategic visits to India and Singapore

Senior leaders from the University of Northampton (UON) have completed a series of high-profile visits to India and Singapore, reinforcing the institution’s commitment to expanding transnational education (TNE) partnerships and enhancing its global footprint.

The delegation, led by Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Chief Operating Officer Becky Bradshaw and Dean of Business & Law Karen Jones, met with five leading institutions across the two countries. These included the Footwear Design & Development Institute (FDDI), Amity University Noida, Bennett University, Amity Global Institute (Singapore), and Raffles College of Higher Education.

The visits were designed to strengthen existing relationships, explore new academic collaborations, and identify opportunities for student mobility, joint research, and innovative programme delivery.

Proposed initiatives include new pathways into Master’s degrees in Business, Fashion, and Computing, and expansion into specialist areas such as Hospitality, Education, and Digital Design.

One of the highlights of the trip was attending FDDI’s national convocation (graduation) ceremony in Noida, India—an event given national significance by the attendance of Indian President, Droupadi Murmu, alongside senior government ministers. UON’s partnership with FDDI was referenced positively in official speeches, underlining strong governmental support for future collaboration.

Reflecting on the trip, Becky Bradshaw said: “Embeded in our corporate plan, international engagement and expansion is vital for the University’s strategic growth.

“These partnerships enable us to grow our portfolio, offer students globally relevant opportunities, foster research collaboration, and strengthen Northampton’s position in an increasingly competitive higher education market.”

The Singapore leg of the visit focused on operational reviews and growth discussions with Amity Global Institute, a long-standing partner delivering UON programmes in Business, Technology, and Logistics. Plans for new programmes—potentially delivered in Mandarin—reflect the University’s ambition to innovate and respond to global market needs.

These visits also addressed operational matters to ensure high-quality student experience and compliance with local regulations, reinforcing the University’s reputation for excellence in international education.

Karen Jones added: “Transnational education partnerships are central to the University’s growth strategy.

“They provide students with flexible pathways to UK degrees, expand research networks, and create opportunities for cultural exchange.

“In a competitive global market, face-to-face engagement with partners is essential to build trust, accelerate decision-making, and secure long-term collaboration.”

Follow-up actions from the visits—including curriculum mapping, feasibility studies, and partnership agreements—are already underway, with developments expected to be announced in early 2026.

Currently, there are 40 million students at university in India, but 70 million places are needed by 2035.

The UK’s higher education sector is capitalising on that demand by giving Indian students the chance to study for a UK degree without leaving home. During 2022 international education brought over £32 billion of export revenue into the UK economy.

To find out more about how UON is capitalising in that demand, visit the University’s Partners page.