At the 18th BRICS Summit 2026, taking place in Delhi, significant benefits may be gained not only from discussions on the diplomatic and economic agenda but also for the education sector. There is an educational pool among nine countries called the 'BRICS Network University.'
Students often mistakenly believe that the BRICS Network University represents some new building or separate campus; however, it is actually a global network (Consortium) of leading higher education institutions from BRICS countries. This text further examines what this network entails and how it becomes an important step forward for the careers of Indian students.
This is a joint initiative of leading universities and research institutes of BRICS member countries, including India, Russia, China, Brazil, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the UAE. The establishment of this network was laid in Moscow in 2015. Its main goal is to simplify student mobility, faculty exchange, joint research, and dual degree programs between participating countries without administrative obstacles.
It is not a single structure, but rather an interconnection between prestigious institutions such as IIT Bombay, IIT Kanpur, IISc Bangalore, DU, JNU, and Banaras Hindu University (BHU) from India, and foreign centers like Lomonosov Moscow State University from Russia, Tsinghua University from China, and the University of Brasília from Brazil.
Key areas include: Energy (renewable energy and clean fuel technologies); Computer Science and AI (data analysis, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity); BRICS Research (political, economic, and cultural ties of member countries); Ecology and Climate Change (environmental protection and sustainable development); Water Resources and Food Security (water resource management and food security); Economics (global trade and the BRICS financial system).
During the 2026 summit held in New Delhi, a decision may be made to expand the network by including leading universities from new member countries such as Iran, Egypt, and the UAE. As part of this expansion, agreement is discussed on simplifying visa procedures for Indian students and increasing allocations to the 'BRICS Joint Research Fund'. Against the backdrop of tightening rules for obtaining visas and studying in Western countries, the BRICS Network University is becoming a reliable alternative for India's youth, offering accessible, world-class higher education.