Global education is changing rapidly. Today, students can start their degree studies in their own city and later complete the remaining years at a foreign university. This hybrid education model is no longer just an idea—it is already a reality. In Surat, On Track Education is offering this opportunity to students through internationally recognized programs.
As an education consultant with 27 years of experience guiding students for overseas studies, I believe this is one of the most significant changes in higher education since the introduction of India’s National Education Policy (NEP 2020).
Traditionally, studying abroad meant moving directly to countries such as the USA, Canada, the UK, or Australia. Today, universities around the world are expanding access through branch campuses, dual degrees, joint degrees, twinning programs, and blended online-offline learning models.
Under this system, students can complete their first year in Surat while becoming familiar with the culture, teaching methods, language, and academic environment of their destination country. When they eventually move abroad, they are better prepared both academically and personally. It also becomes easier for them to adapt to part-time work opportunities and daily life overseas.
Why Is This Important for Gujarat?
Gujarat has always had a strong global outlook. Every year, more than 50,000 students from cities such as Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot pursue higher education abroad.
However, rising education costs, visa uncertainties, and increasing living expenses have made overseas education challenging for many families. Hybrid and transnational education models provide a practical and affordable solution, especially for middle-class families seeking international opportunities
GIFT City in Gujarat already hosts campuses of Australia’s Deakin University and the University of Wollongong. The UK’s University of Southampton has also received approval to establish operations in India. At On Track Education, we are collaborating with The WorldGrad to help students access such international degree pathways.
Credit Transfer: The Key to the Future
One of the most important features of modern education is credit portability. Through initiatives such as the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), students can accumulate and transfer academic credits across institutions.
In the future, credit transfers between Indian and international universities are expected to become even smoother. Students may complete their first year in Surat or Ahmedabad and then continue their studies at a university abroad. What once seemed like a dream is quickly becoming a reality.
For an industrial and innovation-driven state like Gujarat, this development is highly significant. It will help create globally skilled professionals in fields such as technology, artificial intelligence, green energy, manufacturing, healthcare, and finance.
Over the next five years, higher education is expected to undergo major transformation. Students will need to think beyond the traditional choice of “India or Abroad” and embrace more flexible global learning pathways.
The vision of internationalizing higher education under India’s National Education Policy is steadily becoming a reality.
About The Author
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
