The University of Colorado Denver has received a letter of intent from the University Grants Commission to establish a degree-granting campus in Hyderabad, making it the first public American university authorised to set up a campus in India, according to a statement issued by the university.
The proposed campus will also be the first foreign university campus in Telangana. CU Denver said its India location will offer academic pathways in business, computing, engineering and analytics, fields it described as aligned with demand from students and the changing workforce.
Kenneth T. Christensen, Chancellor of CU Denver, said the Hyderabad plan builds on the university’s longstanding connection with students from India. “We now have an opportunity to extend that connection and bring our unique experience to students in India, combining rigorous academics, career-aligned learning and real-world experience that prepare students for meaningful careers and contributions to their communities,” he said in the statement.
The announcement places Hyderabad among the Indian cities attracting overseas universities seeking to establish a local academic presence. Last year, Chicago-based Illinois Institute of Technology became the first US university to set up a campus in India. The private university established its campus in Mumbai and welcomed its first batch in September, according to the report.
CU Denver said the Hyderabad location would draw on its strengths in applied learning, interdisciplinary education and career readiness. The university’s statement did not disclose the proposed campus site, investment amount, physical size, student intake, fee structure or opening date.
Global education company Emeritus will be CU Denver’s strategic joint venture partner in India. The company will work with the university on non-academic functions related to establishing and expanding the campus.
Ashwin Damera, Co-founder and CEO of Emeritus, said the proposed University of Colorado Denver | Hyderabad campus would bring globally relevant education closer to Indian students. He said CU Denver’s focus on applied learning, interdisciplinary education and career readiness was relevant to student aspirations and the needs of a changing workforce.
The letter of intent marks the next step towards establishing the campus. Further details on regulatory approvals, academic programmes, admissions, location and the implementation timeline were not provided in the university’s announcement.