Prof. K. K. Aggarwal has been serving as
President of South Asian University (SAU) since December 2023. He was the
founding Vice-Chancellor of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University and later
Chancellor of K R Mangalam University. Prof. Aggarwal has held key positions
including Chairman of the National Board of Accreditation, and President of
both the Computer Society of India and the Institution of Electronics and
Telecommunication Engineers. He holds a PhD in reliability engineering and has
authored notable works in his field. Modnath Dhakal of The Rising
Nepal talked to Prof. Agrawal during the latter’s recent visit to Nepal
about various issues of the SAU and regional academic integration. Excerpts:
What is the philosophy behind the
establishment of the South Asian University (SAU)?
To understand the origins of
this initiative, it's important to go back over 15 years, when the economies of
the SAARC (South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation) countries were
significantly less developed. At the time, India held the SAARC chairmanship,
and the Indian Prime Minister recognised a key challenge: certain niche areas
of education—while not in high demand—were extremely expensive to support. If
each member country were to invest individually in such specialised fields, it
would place a heavy financial burden on them.
The idea, then, was to
establish a shared institution within the SAARC region that could focus on
these specialised academic and research areas. For example, if Nepal required
only 10 professionals in nanotechnology and Bangladesh 20, setting up separate
labs in each country would be impractical, as the cost of establishing such
facilities remains the same regardless of student numbers.
Instead, a central
university could draw the best educators from across the region including
experts from the diaspora—and deliver world-class training to a small but
capable cohort, who would return to contribute to their home countries. India
agreed to provide the land and infrastructure, bearing the capital costs. The
operational expenses, however, would be shared among SAARC nations in agreed
proportions, India covering about 60 per cent, Pakistan 12 per cent, Nepal 5
per cent, and so on. The concept was beautiful, and it has served the purpose
to some extent but there is much to be done.
After a journey of one and a half decades,
where do you find the SAU? Has it served the purpose?
Yes, it certainly has served
its purpose in many meaningful ways. First and foremost, when students from
across SAARC countries come together to study in one place, it naturally
fosters a sense of regional unity and cultural integration. They celebrate each
other’s festivals, enjoy get-togethers, and even host food festivals - one day
featuring Nepali cuisine, the next day Bangladeshi dishes, and so on. These
shared experiences go beyond academics, building bonds that promote mutual
understanding and respect among future leaders of the region.
Secondly, the academic
structure itself reinforces this spirit of cooperation. Departments such as
International Relations and Sociology are designed with a regional perspective
in mind, rather than focusing on any single country's viewpoint. This encourages
students to think beyond borders, consider regional dynamics, and engage with
issues affecting South Asia as a whole. In this way, the university is not only
an educational hub but also a living example of regional collaboration and
shared identity.
Could you highlight the status of students?
Is it inclusive in terms of the SAARC member nations?
The student intake ratio is
ideally set at 50 per cent from India, 40 per cent from other SAARC nations,
and 10 per cent from outside the region. However, due to current challenges, such
as lack of recognition of Afghanistan’s government and visa issues for
Pakistani students, SAARC representation has dropped to around 20 per cent. We’re
addressing this by expanding online education, allowing students to enrol
without visa hurdles. We are also updating our programmes to meet present-day
needs like launching courses in AI, data science, and the Internet of Things,
which are increasingly vital across all SAARC countries.
What kind of benefits
students are getting with their regional perspective in their academics? What
is the status of employability of your students?
Studying abroad is a common
aspiration among students from SAARC countries, but our university offers a
compelling alternative. As an international institution, we provide a
high-quality education at a fraction of the cost compared to studying in the
US, UK, or Australia. Moreover, we offer generous scholarships, particularly
for non-Indian students, which further reduces the financial burden. Our
degrees are recognised across all SAARC nations, ensuring credibility and
employability.
Another key advantage is
proximity. Students from countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, or Bangladesh remain
closer to their home, allowing for easier travel and cultural familiarity,
while still experiencing a rich, multicultural academic environment. This
fusion of diverse cultures fosters deeper regional integration and mutual
understanding.
Our graduates have
consistently performed well globally. Many now hold faculty positions at
leading universities abroad, with alumni from Nepal, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka
in senior academic roles. Until recently, expansion was limited due to a
temporary campus. However, with the inauguration of a state-of-the-art 100-acre
campus in New Delhi, we are now scaling up student intake and launching new
programmes in science, technology, and management, disciplines vital to the
region’s development.
Has there been any effort to forge
collaboration or cooperation with other universities in the region?
Previously, our admissions
were based on an entrance test conducted in each SAARC country, often with only
one centre per nation, for example, in Nepal. However, this created
accessibility issues, especially for larger countries like Pakistan or regions
with logistical challenges such as Afghanistan. To make the process more
inclusive, we’ve now introduced a remote, proctored examination system.
Students can take the test from the comfort of their homes, monitored securely
through software, removing the need for travel entirely. Additionally, if
students are unable to take our entrance test, we now accept national-level
entrance exams from their home countries as a valid criterion for admission.
Reputed academic institutions have built
their prestige on the basis of investment in and amount of research. Where do
you see the SAU as an academic institution from the research perspectives?
In terms of research, we’ve
made excellent progress. Initially, nearly 50 per cent of our students were
enrolled in research programmes which is a remarkably high proportion. However,
we've since realised that employability and industry demands, especially in
fields like engineering and management, extend beyond the PhD level. So now,
we're aiming for a balanced mix of PhD, postgraduate, and undergraduate
students to ensure wider impact and relevance. The Indian government has spent
around INR 12 billion on the development of our world-class campus. Our annual
operational budget is approximately INR 1.25 billion, with India covering 60
per cent. However, contributions from other SAARC nations have been
inconsistent. For instance, Nepal made a payment this year but missed the
previous few; Pakistan has not contributed for six or seven years; Bangladesh
has paid sporadically.
This is not just another Indian university, it’s
a regional initiative. The real question is whether SAARC nations truly value
and take ownership of this project.
Given the current
challenges facing SAARC as a regional organisation, including uncertainties
about its future, have you encountered any difficulties or concerns regarding
the university's continued functioning?
What you’ve said about SAARC is quite true
and widely acknowledged. It’s not something you or I can directly resolve. But,
I genuinely believe that the idea behind this university can continue to
thrive, even amidst political tensions. Education, culture, and sport, in my
view, should remain above geopolitics. They are the bridges that can keep
dialogue and collaboration alive when other channels falter. This university,
in that sense, holds real promise. It offers a hopeful path forward—one that
can foster connection and understanding. Even if political setbacks persist for
years, this institution could serve as a quiet catalyst for renewal. Of course,
if SAARC were ever completely dissolved, the university’s future would
inevitably come into question. But as long as there’s still even a glimmer of
hope for regional cooperation, I believe this university has a valuable role to
play.
If a university from
Nepal wished to collaborate with the South Asian University, whether in
academics, research, innovation, or even joint PhD programmes, what kind of
opportunities or frameworks currently exist to facilitate such regional
partnerships?
I believe there’s a real
opportunity here. But, sadly, it has not yet materialised. I am raising this
idea during every visit to Nepal. I’ve spoken to the University Grants Commission
and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urging that this should move forward. It’s
disheartening to see so many Nepali students attending third-rate foreign
universities, often receiving substandard education. If the goal is to earn an
international degree, why not create that opportunity here in the region?
We could easily begin with a
small collaborative campus, perhaps with Kathmandu University, Tribhuvan
University, or any other willing institution. Even a modest facility will suffice
to start with. For instance, Nepal has several medical colleges. Why not
establish a SAU-affiliated medical college? These degrees would be
internationally recognised, quality-assured, and, importantly, not-for-profit. Nepali
students are increasingly going abroad for education, so why not redirect that
interest to SAU? It will be even better if we establish an SAU campus here, run
on non-commercial terms. The advantage for Nepal is that it will have its own
international university, focusing purely on academics rather than profit.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 29 April 2025.
