University of Canterbury Leaders Explore Purpose, Partnerships, and Future of Higher Ed at QS India Summit 2026

University of Canterbury Delegation Takes Centre Stage at QS India Summit 2026

The QS India Summit 2026, held from February 1 to 3 in the vibrant coastal state of Goa, India, brought together over 600 higher education leaders, policymakers, and researchers under the theme 'India@2047: Building Skills, Achieving Scale, Driving Innovation.' This prestigious event, hosted at the Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon, served as a critical platform for discussing how universities worldwide can align their missions with global challenges while fostering local impact. Among the standout participants was a delegation from New Zealand's University of Canterbury (UC), Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha, who actively shaped conversations on purpose, partnerships, and the evolving landscape of higher education.

UC's involvement underscores New Zealand's growing prominence in international academic circles. As a nation with universities consistently ranking in the global top 30 percent according to the QS World University Rankings 2026, New Zealand is positioning itself as a collaborative partner, particularly with India's booming higher education sector. UC Vice-Chancellor Professor Cheryl de la Rey led the delegation, emphasizing strategic philanthropy, while other senior leaders contributed to masterclasses and panels on research and collaborations.

Spotlight on Philanthropy: VC de la Rey's Vision for Accessible Education

Professor Cheryl de la Rey, UC's Vice-Chancellor, took the spotlight in a key panel discussion titled 'Philanthropy as a Way Forward to Promote Publicly Accessible and World-Class Education in India.' Drawing from UC's own experiences, she highlighted how strategic philanthropy can bolster research, innovation, and institutional excellence. 'Universities with a strong understanding of who they are, who they serve, and the values they uphold are better positioned to build trust, engage donors, and create positive change for their communities,' she noted during the session.

This discussion resonated deeply in the context of New Zealand higher education, where philanthropic support plays a pivotal role in funding scholarships and research initiatives. UC's Tūmahana Foundation, for instance, has enabled ambitious projects, including those in green hydrogen and STEM fields, ensuring that students from diverse backgrounds, including Māori and Pacific communities, have access to transformative opportunities. For aspiring academics and administrators in New Zealand, such insights offer valuable lessons in leveraging donor relationships to sustain long-term institutional growth. Consider exploring higher ed career advice to navigate these dynamics professionally.

Masterclass on Partnerships with Purpose: UC and IIT Delhi Collaboration

A highlight was the masterclass 'Partnerships with Purpose: An Approach to Impactful International Education and Research Collaborations,' co-led by UC's Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research & Innovation Professor Lucy Johnston, Executive Dean of Engineering Professor Saurabh Sinha, and Executive Dean of Science Professor Stuart Parsons, alongside IIT Delhi's Dean of International Programmes Professor Anil Verma and Dr Sivakumar Kandasami from Ground Force Concrete Consultancy LLP.

This interactive session dissected the enablers and barriers to successful international partnerships. Participants agreed that productive collaborations prioritize intent over sheer volume, aligning academic strengths with industry and societal needs. Key enablers include:

• Trust and mutual respect between partners
• Clarity of shared purpose
• Alignment of incentives and long-term commitment
• The central role of people and relationships in sustaining momentum

For New Zealand universities like UC, ranked 261st in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and top 2 in the country for employment outcomes, such partnerships open doors to joint research in areas like sustainable engineering and climate resilience—critical for Aotearoa's environmental challenges.

Read UC's official recap for more on these exchanges.

Impactful Research for Nation Building: UC's Contributions

Professor Lucy Johnston also featured in the panel 'Impactful Research for Nation Building,' presented in partnership with UC. Joined by experts from India, New Zealand, and the UK, the discussion explored how research drives progress, prosperity, and long-term national transformation. Grounded in local contexts, UC's high-quality teaching and research were cited as models for maintaining public trust and delivering social, economic, and environmental outcomes.

In New Zealand, where tertiary education investment stands at 5.1% of GDP—above the OECD average—universities face pressures to boost completion rates, particularly for underrepresented groups. UC's focus on innovation, such as student-led ventures in AI, fintech, and sustainable packaging from seaweed, exemplifies how research partnerships can address these gaps.

Defining Purpose in a Globalised Higher Education Landscape

Across the summit, institutional clarity of purpose emerged as a cornerstone theme. For UC, this means embodying Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha's commitment to Māori values and community impact while tackling global issues like climate change. High-quality, contextually relevant teaching and research form the bedrock of world-class education, ensuring universities remain trusted pillars in society.

This aligns with New Zealand's Tertiary Education Strategy 2025-2030, which emphasizes economic growth, improved graduate earnings, and industry partnerships. As participation rates rise—39% of 25-64-year-olds now hold bachelor's degrees or higher—NZ institutions must balance domestic equity with international appeal.

Navigating Barriers and Maximising Partnership Potential

While enablers were celebrated, the masterclass candidly addressed barriers like misaligned incentives and short-term focus. Solutions lie in fostering relationships that prioritize shared innovation. For NZ-India ties, this is timely: recent MoUs with IIT Delhi's NZ Centre fund projects in cancer research, cybersecurity, and robotics, injecting NZ$50,000 per partner into 10 initiatives.

UC's global partnerships, including with Indian institutions, enhance student mobility and joint programs. With NZ aiming to double its international education market to 119,000 students by 2034, collaborations like these are vital. Indian students, drawn to NZ's safe, high-quality environment, contribute significantly—UC alone hosts many in engineering and sciences.

UC's Standing and Role in New Zealand Higher Education

UC's participation reflects its stature: 261st globally in QS 2026, top 501-600 in THE World Rankings, and leader in sustainability (first in NZ for stewardship). As NZ's second-largest university, it excels in employability, with graduates thriving in higher ed jobs and industry.

Challenges persist—uneven completion rates, funding pressures—but opportunities abound in tech-driven skills and green innovation. Summit insights reinforce UC's strategy: purposeful international engagement for enduring benefits.

Broadening NZ-India Academic Ties

New Zealand-India relations in higher ed are strengthening. Education New Zealand (ENZ) showcased NZ unis at prior summits, while recent visits by VCs like UC's de la Rey build on 2025 efforts. Agreements with SRM Institute and others pave ways for dual degrees and research exchanges.

Benefits include diversified student cohorts—NZ welcomed 85,000+ internationals in 2025—and enhanced R&D. For faculty, this means university jobs in NZ with global exposure; for students, pathways via scholarships.

QS India Summit overview.

Future Outlook: Skills, Scale, and Innovation for NZ Higher Ed

Looking ahead, NZ higher ed must emulate summit calls: build skills at scale amid AI disruptions and climate imperatives. Government reforms target 5% domestic growth and 15% international by 2026, aligning curricula with job markets.

UC's blueprint—purpose-led partnerships—positions NZ unis to thrive. As India eyes 2047 ambitions, collaborative opportunities in STEM and sustainability beckon, promising mutual prosperity.

Actionable Insights for Higher Ed Professionals in New Zealand

Stakeholders can apply these lessons: Prioritise relationship-building in partnerships; leverage philanthropy for equity; focus research on national priorities. Tools like Rate My Professor aid student choices, while academic CV tips support careers.

In summary, UC's summit role signals a dynamic future for New Zealand higher education—one rooted in purpose, powered by partnerships, and poised for global impact. Professionals eyeing faculty positions or admin roles will find fertile ground.