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The university said this makes CU Denver the first American public university to receive approval to establish a degree-granting campus in India.
CU Denver receives UGC letter of intent to establish campus; first cohort expected in August 2027.
The University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) has received a letter of intent (LOI) from the University Grants Commission (UGC) to establish a campus in Hyderabad. The university said this makes CU Denver the first American public university to receive approval to establish a degree-granting campus in India and the first foreign university to establish a campus in Telangana.
The proposed Hyderabad campus will expand access to international higher education in India, with a focus on academic quality, applied learning, student outcomes and career readiness.
The campus is expected to offer programmes in high-demand areas such as business, computing, engineering and analytics. CU Denver said the programmes will emphasise interdisciplinary learning, practical experience and problem-solving, while providing students with opportunities to remain connected to the universityтАЩs home campus in the US.
Kenneth T. Christensen, PhD, chancellor of CU Denver, said the Hyderabad campus builds on the universityтАЩs longstanding connection with students from India. тАЬExpanding access to high-quality education has long been central to CU DenverтАЩs vision and goals. Our plans in Hyderabad build on that commitment, as well as our longstanding connection with students from India who have been part of the CU Denver community for decades,” Christensen said.
тАЬWe now have an opportunity to extend that connection and bring our unique experience to students in IndiaтАФcombining rigorous academics, career-aligned learning, and real-world experience that prepare students for meaningful careers and contributions to their communities,” he added.
Global education company Emeritus will serve as CU DenverтАЩs strategic joint venture partner in India. The company will support the universityтАЩs establishment and expansion through expertise in key non-academic functions.
Ashwin Damera, co-founder and CEO of Emeritus, said the proposed campus would bring globally relevant education closer to students in India.
тАЬThe proposed University of Colorado Denver | Hyderabad marks an important step in bringing globally relevant education closer to students in India. CU DenverтАЩs focus on applied learning, interdisciplinary education, and career readiness is particularly relevant to the aspirations of todayтАЩs students and the needs of a rapidly evolving workforce. The initiative will create opportunities for students and provide greater access to an education that is both academically rigorous and closely connected to the world of work,” Damera said.
The Hyderabad campus is expected to align with the priorities of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, including multidisciplinary education, internationalisation, learner outcomes and career readiness.
Established in 1973 and governed by the University of Colorado Board of Regents, CU Denver serves around 14,000 students and has more than 100,000 alumni across over 100 countries. The university is classified as an R1 research institution by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education, indicating very high research activity.
CU Denver said it will continue to work through the regulatory process and consult academic, industry and other stakeholders as plans for the Hyderabad campus progress. The university expects to welcome its first cohort in August 2027. Additional programmes will be proposed to the UGC for approval from the second year onwards.
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Ask News18The University of Colorado Denver received a letter of intent from the University Grants Commission to establish a campus in Hyderabad, making it the first American public university approved for a degree-granting campus in India and the first foreign university in Telangana.
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