Revanth Reddy pitches Oxford programmes for Hyderabad as US leg is denied

Revanth Reddy held talks in the UK with Oxford and Liverpool on education and strategic partnerships. The visit underlined Telangana's global outreach plans even as the proposed US leg was denied clearance.

In Short

• Oxford representatives were invited to the Telangana Rising Global Summit in December
• Officials highlighted National Education Policy opportunities for foreign universities entering India
• The delegation explored sports infrastructure through visits to Utilita Bowl and Emirates

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy's visit to the UK has included talks with Oxford University on bringing executive education and research programmes to Hyderabad, and meetings with Liverpool officials on a possible partnership in life sciences, technology, sports and the creative economy. His schedule also included visits linked to education and sport, including Oxford's Somerville College and sporting facilities in England.

The UK tour will now conclude without the planned US leg after the Union government denied political clearance for that part of the visit. Reddy had said the purpose of the proposed US trip was to explore bringing top American educational institutions to Telangana.

After touring the Blavatnik School of Government in Oxford, Reddy visited Somerville College to see a portrait of former prime minister Indira Gandhi, a distinguished alumna of the university. In his interaction with Oxford educationists on Friday, he invited them to bring Oxford Executive Education and research programmes to Hyderabad, including the possibility of setting up a "dedicated centre" in the city.

"It is heartening that Oxford representatives have responded positively to the prospect of working together with Telangana's youth and industry professionals," Reddy said in a statement on social media. "We have invited Oxford representatives to the Telangana Rising Global Summit to be held in Hyderabad in December. By linking Telangana with the world's top educational institutions, our goal is to bring global opportunities within reach for our youth," he said.

The Chief Minister's Office said K Ramakrishna Rao, Advisor and Ex-officio Special Chief Secretary at the CMO, outlined opportunities available to foreign universities under the National Education Policy. The delegation also invited Oxford representatives to attend the Telangana Rising Global Summit in Hyderabad from December 7 to 9. The visit then moved to the sports sector, with engagements at the Utilita Bowl integrated sporting facility operated by the GMR Group, followed by a visit to the Emirates Stadium in London to watch a Premier League match featuring Arsenal and Coventry.

On Saturday, Reddy met officials from Liverpool City Development and Liverpool Football Club in London. "I am delighted that Liverpool is keen to build a strategic partnership with Telangana in life sciences, technology, sports and the creative economy. I look forward to welcoming the Liverpool delegation to Hyderabad in October, when we will take this partnership forward and formalise our collaboration," he said.

Reddy had begun his Britain tour earlier this week and was scheduled to travel onward to the US, but will now return to Hyderabad after the UK visit. Explaining the decision, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "The visit of chief ministers, as indeed other dignitaries, is assessed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in order to accord political clearance." He added, "The programme proposed in such cases should be appropriate to the office held and the purpose of the visit. In this particular case, that was not so in respect of the US. Therefore, clearance has not been given. Incidentally, his visit to the UK has been cleared." Reddy, in a statement from his office, said, "I have always believed we should all think beyond politics and elections when it comes to nation building and (the) future of the youth." Overall, the visit centred on education, investment-linked partnerships and sporting engagements in the UK, before the proposed US leg was called off.

With PTI Inputs

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