UEL partners with global leaders at IGES 2026 in Chennai hub
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Published
29 January 2026
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The India Global Education Summit (IGES) 2026, co-organised by the Government of Tamil Nadu and the National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU), is bringing together global education leaders, governments, universities, employers and innovators on 28 and 29 January 2026 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, positioning India at the centre of international dialogue on education, skills and future talent.
As a founding partner of IGES, the University of East London is playing a prominent role in the Summit, contributing its careers-first and enterprise-led expertise to discussions on employability, innovation and global talent development.
The Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has accorded the highest priority to education, empowering students from the State to access leading global institutions, while simultaneously attracting world-class universities to Tamil Nadu. With the participation of over 1,000 delegates from more than 20 countries, IGES 2026 will showcase Tamil Nadu’s educational strengths on the global stage and create meaningful opportunities for students and institutions alike.
The Summit takes place as Tamil Nadu advances its vision to become a leading Global Knowledge City, building on its strong ecosystem of universities, research institutions, innovation hubs and high-growth industries. With one of India’s highest Gross Enrolment Ratios in higher education and a long-standing reputation as the Education Capital of India, the state is investing in global partnerships that connect learning with innovation, entrepreneurship and employability.
IGES 2026 will focus on strengthening education-to-employment pathways, advancing transnational education, and aligning skills development with the needs of emerging industries. The programme includes high-level dialogues across education, technology, ESG and talent, supported by a Deal Room for structured partnerships, a B2B Expo, and an International Opportunities and Careers Fair connecting students with global opportunities.
Professor Amanda Broderick, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of East London, UK, said,
For the University of East London, India is a strategic partner of global significance. The fact that one in every 25 Indian students studying in the UK chooses UEL is no accident. It reflects the strong alignment between our careers-first and enterprise-led mission and India’s ambition to build a globally mobile, innovation-driven workforce and generation of future job creators."
“Tamil Nadu is creating a dynamic ecosystem where global academia and industry transition from mere coexistence to active co-creation,” said Dr T.R.B. Rajaa, the state’s minister for Industries. “This is a conscious effort to position Tamil Nadu as not just the Manufacturing Capital of India but also as the Talent and Innovation Capital of India.”
Sanam Arora, Chair of NISAU, UK, and the convenor of IGES, highlighted the Summit’s global relevance, stating, “Students and graduates are at the heart of global education systems. IGES 2026 brings decision-makers together to create fair, transparent and future-focused pathways that genuinely serve learners and the global workforce.”
Industry partners and stakeholders in the higher education sector have welcomed the Summit.
Professor Selva Pankaj, co-founder and CEO of Regent Global, a transnational education institution, noted: “IGES 2026 brings educators and employers together to build the talent pipelines the global economy urgently needs. Supporting IGES 2026 strengthens collaboration between education and industry at a critical moment for the global economy.”
The Summit will also mark the launch of IGNITE — India Global Network of Innovation, Talent and Education, a specialist international magazine designed not only to document global trends, but to help shape the future direction of international education and India’s evolving leadership role within it.
With participation from senior ministers, university leaders, CEOs, investors and international organisations, IGES 2026 aims to deliver lasting outcomes that extend beyond the Summit, positioning India, and Tamil Nadu in particular, as a key global convenor in education and talent development.