Telangana CM invites Oxford to set up education programmes in Hyderabad

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, on an official visit to London as part of the Telangana Rising delegation, has invited the University of Oxford to bring its executive education programmes and specialised research capabilities to Telangana. He proposed the establishment of a centre in Hyderabad during discussions with Oxford academics on Friday.

Mr. Reddy met Professor Maya Tudor of the Blavatnik School of Government and Professor Faisal Devji of Balliol College to explore collaboration opportunities between the university and the Telangana government. He outlined the Telangana Rising vision, which aims to transform Hyderabad into a global education hub, and invited Oxford to work with the state's youth and working professionals.

The Chief Minister also asked the university to consider setting up a presence in the state. During the meeting, K. Ramakrishna Rao, Advisor and Ex-officio Special Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister's Office, gave a detailed presentation on the opportunities available to foreign universities under the National Education Policy. He highlighted the advantages of establishing programmes and institutions in Hyderabad and Telangana.

The Oxford academics expressed keenness to collaborate with the Telangana government and indicated several possible areas of cooperation, according to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office. The delegation also invited Oxford representatives to participate in the Telangana Rising Global Summit, scheduled to be held in Hyderabad from December 7 to 9.

Later, the Chief Minister visited Somerville College, where he paid respects to the portrait of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, an alumna of the institution. The portrait was gifted to the college by Sonia Gandhi in 2002.

Mr. Reddy subsequently visited the Utilita Bowl, a major integrated sporting facility operated by the GMR Group, along with GMR Group Corporate Chairman Kiran Kumar Grandhi. The facility includes a golf course, sporting infrastructure, and a hotel. The Chief Minister held discussions with Mr. Grandhi and the GMR global sports unit, inviting the group to invest in Telangana and contribute to the development of world-class sporting infrastructure in the state.

The Chief Minister is also scheduled to visit Emirates Stadium later on Friday to watch an English Premier League match. The visit is part of his ongoing engagement in London to promote Telangana as an attractive destination for education, investment, and sports development.