Cooperation with India holds great potential for the future

The focus is on student exchanges, dual degree study programmes, close cooperation in the scientific field and plans for joint research centres.

The DAAD organised the week-long trip to scientific institutions in Delhi and Hyderabad in mid-March 2025. Prof. Gesine Grande, President of BTU, was a member of the high-ranking delegation of DAAD directors and presidents of 18 German universities. The guests were received by the Consul General of the German Consulate in Chennai, Kathrin Misera-Lang.

BTU President Prof. Gesine Grande describes her impressions and says: "The insight into the Indian university system and important research institutes was impressive and valuable. BTU is already very attractive for students and young researchers from India, in particular in English-language STEM study programmes. With a total of 900 students, they are one of our largest groups from abroad. We would like to strategically expand our collaboration in important fields of research such as the energy transition, artificial intelligence and sensor technology. This trip was an important step in this direction."

The partnerships between India and Germany aim to fund innovation and academic excellence. The on-site visit enables the representatives of the university management to gain an impression of the Indian higher education system, its funding and study conditions. German universities benefit from the high propensity of young people in India to study. According to the latest figures, as DAAD Secretary General Kai Sicks emphasised during the trip, around 50,000 Indian students are currently enrolled at German universities. In addition, the delegation trip served to establish sustainable Indo-German networks and to expand relations with existing partner institutes, such as the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, the International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad and the University of Hyderabad.

One highlight of the fact-finding mission was participation in the DWIH 's Indo-German Forum in New Delhi, which brought together over 250 stakeholders from the German and Indian higher education and research landscape, including representatives from over 80 German universities. Various discussion rounds highlighted Indian and German perspectives for increased cooperation at all levels of research and education.

The German Centres for Research and Innovation (DWIH) New Delhi promotes the German research landscape in India, expands existing collaborations, establishes new contacts and strengthens the links between the scientific communities of both countries. The German Centres for Research and Innovation (DWIH) are an association of German science organisations, universities and the research-based economy. At six locations worldwide, the DWIH enable a joint presence of German innovation providers, offer a showcase for the performance of German research and network it with local cooperation partners.