New Delhi [India], December 22 (ANI)

South Asian University (SAU) aims to emerge as a leading regional hub for education and research, President Prof KK Aggarwal said, outlining his vision to strengthen academic innovation, multidisciplinary research and regional cooperation during his three-year tenure at the university.

In an interview with ANI on Sunday, Prof Aggarwal said that concrete steps would be taken to develop South Asian University (SAU) into a leading hub of education, research and regional integration.

Prof Aggarwal earlier served as the founding Vice Chancellor of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University in New Delhi. With over five decades of experience in academics and administration, he said his objective is to position SAU as a platform that promotes both educational innovation and collaboration among South Asian nations.

Highlighting the university’s functioning, he said SAU follows a shared funding model that ensures balanced representation of students from India, SAARC member countries and other nations. To further strengthen diversity, he said the university plans to introduce new courses in areas such as disaster management, climate change and Artificial Intelligence (AI), aligned with regional needs.

Addressing visa-related challenges faced by foreign students, Prof Aggarwal said the university is committed to simplifying the admission process and extending full support to students in completing visa-related formalities.

Referring to SAU’s strong placement record, he said students are being provided quality education along with better employment opportunities. He added that PhD scholars receive a monthly stipend along with waivers in tuition fees and hostel charges.

Speaking on future plans, Prof Aggarwal said that additional hostels are being planned to accommodate the growing number of students. He also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiatives to connect youth with nation-building, stating that young people play a crucial role in shaping the future of the country and the region.

He further said that SAU is continuously strengthening its outreach through press conferences in SAARC countries, collaborations with academic institutions and various outreach programmes.

Prof Aggarwal highlighted that SAU’s multinational academic environment is its biggest strength, with students from eight countries studying together and promoting cultural exchange and regional cooperation.

Emphasising the role of technology in education, Prof Aggarwal said it is essential to make students technologically proficient so they can effectively address societal challenges. He expressed confidence that under his leadership, SAU will emerge as a major centre of knowledge, innovation and regional collaboration.

Published on 26 Dec 2025