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In the wake of unprecedented technological acceleration, education has become a field of competition and cooperation among emerging powers. Analytical pieces in international media reveal that, while culturally and historically different, the BRICS countries are focusing on shared educational challenges through modern technologies and aiming to take a greater lead in the global education agenda.

This Pars Today news package examines digitalization, online education, and artificial intelligence in the education systems of BRICS countries, which you can read below:

BRICS: Key players in global education

Referring to the report of the BRICS Expert Council in Russia, in the 2023, 2024 school year, nearly 35.9% of children who are of school age worldwide were residing in BRICS nations, and more than a third of the world's schools were in these countries. India is at the top of the list with a student population of more than 365 million, then comes China, Brazil, Russia, and South Africa. These figures indicate the significant role of these countries in the education sector of the world in the future.

Experts continually point out that the BRICS nations face very similar challenges.

These challenges involve the whole gamut starting from providing access to compulsory and inclusive education at equal terms, to teacher shortages, educational staffs' migration, and linguistic diversity.

On the one hand, rapid population growth in some countries requires expanding educational infrastructure. On the other hand, rural depopulation due to migration has brought about school closures in some areas.

Technology, a door to further progress or just another hurdle?

Introducing digital education, neural networks, and artificial intelligence to the BRICS education systems is essentially viewed as a means to work towards cutting down inequalities and widening access.

Nevertheless, issues such as the quality of web- based education, the teacher's role, and whether or not these learning platforms can produce good professionals still remain.

Experts are of the opinion that education's future does not necessarily entail the ending of traditional models. Rather, it is the bridging of face, to, face and computer, based educational ways.

Diverse strategies in BRICS countries

BRICS countries have developed education strategies tailored to their national circumstances. China focuses on the equitable distribution of high-quality education across the country, India and South Africa aim to reduce school dropouts, and Russia and China seek to ease educational pressure on students. In Brazil, inclusive education has become a primary policy priority.

Educational cooperation and joint projects

BRICS educational cooperation at the university and research levels has expanded in recent years. Initiatives include faculty and student exchanges, networked educational programs, and joint online courses. Estimates indicate that by 2030, the number of students participating in BRICS joint programs could reach 100,000.

Future outlook for education in BRICS

Analysts believe that the digitalization of education and the development of shared scientific resources could become one of the most important public services in BRICS countries. Although challenges such as the digital divide and limited financial resources persist, BRICS experience shows that education can become a driving force for human and economic development in the Global South.

A drastic decrease in global aid especially by the United States and major European donors could reverse the progress made over several decades in the fight against infectious diseases and result in 22.6 million more deaths globally by 2030, a new study published in The Lancet Global Health on Tuesday has revealed.

The study, which was peer, reviewed, and led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) in Spain, warns that a fall in official development assistance (ODA) will severely affect 93 low, and middle, income countries, including India It is notable that the estimated death figure comprises a staggering 5.4 million children under five years of age.

Sub Saharan Africa is likely to be the region most affected as there are 38 countries out of the 93 examined which are located there. In Asia, 21 countries including India are vulnerable, followed by 12 in each of Latin America and the Middle East and North Africa. Ten countries in Europe, including Ukraine, may also be impacted.

“Withdrawing this support now would not only reverse hard-won progress but would translate directly into millions of preventable adult and child deaths,” said Davide Rasella, Coordinator of the study and ICREA Research Professor at ISGlobal. “Budget decisions made today in donor countries will have irreversible consequences for millions of people for years to come.”

The research points out that Official Development Assistance (ODA) had a vital influence during 2002 and 2021 when the global under- five mortality rate dropped by 39 per cent, deaths from HIV/AIDS went down by 70 per cent, and fatalities caused by malaria and nutritional deficiencies declined by 56 per cent. These achievements were made in the countries where about 75 per cent of the world's population live.

In 2024, international aid went down for the first time in six years as the US, UK, France, and Germany considerably cut their donations, a fall which has not happened for almost three decades.

Researchers developed two scenarios and estimated the associated risks from 2025 to 2030. A moderate defunding scenario, with aid decreasing at 10.6 per cent per year, may result in 9.4 million unnecessary deaths. Among the fatalities will be 2.5 million children under five. If the aid budgets are slashed seriously, a defunding scenario with a $32 billion cut from 2024 to 2025, it could lead to over 22.6 million deaths including 5.4 million children under five.

These results reveal the huge ethical price of using a zero sum perspective for global aid, stated Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President of the Rockefeller Foundation that backed the research. “They are an urgent call to action to prevent avoidable human suffering.”

Sagebrook International School hosted an inauguration ceremony for its West Hyderabad campus on Friday, the same day it also announced a strategic academic partnership with UK, based Whitgift School, a top, ranked institution. Members of the Whitgift senior leadership team were present at the unveiling, which signaled a new era of educational cooperation with curriculum co, design, faculty development, and international academic pathways in focus.

The Whitgift team was led by Headmaster Toby Seth, who was accompanied by Director of International Education John Chisholm. Alongside them was Zo L. Hauser, Head of School at Sagebrook International. Seth applauded the joint spirit that led to the collaboration in his keynote speech, pointing out that the new campus is a testament to the commitment that both parties have made to purposeful, values, driven education and future, oriented learning spaces.

The Sagebrook campus, built to international standards, is a signpost for a sustainable and student, centered approach to learning. It is equipped with modular open, classrooms, green or eco, design, LED lighting, and recycled as well as low, emission materials, along with being neurodiverse, friendly all aimed at creating a secure and flexible academic environment.

Praveen Raju, Founder of Suchitra Academy and Founding Partner of Sagebrook International, said that Suchitra Academy was always planned to be a center of educational excellence in the world, but at the same time, the core values of the community and ethics should be very strong. He further mentioned that the collaboration with Whitgift school reinforces Sagebrooks ongoing dedication to the creation of a world, class educational environment in Hyderabad.

Zo L. Hauser, Head of School elaborated on Sagebrook's academic philosophy saying the curriculum of Sagebrook is a blend of the core aspects of IB Primary Years Programme, Montessori, and the Reggio Emilia approaches with an emphasis on inquiry, based and experiential learning which fosters curiosity, creativity, and connection with the real world.

As an IB PYP candidate school, the institution will include the Beginnings Programme that will cater to kids as young as 12 months. A parent caf and co, working space dedicated to the parents will also be available to promote interaction within the community. As part of the launch celebrations, Sagebrook will host a citywide experiential event titled “When Why Finds Joy” on February 7, introducing families to its learning philosophy through interactive activities.

A delegation of 20 members from Australian Transnational Education (TNE) that included representatives from 16 universities and education providers visited India as part of the Australia, India TNE Week 2026, scheduled from 1 to 6 February, the officials informed on Thursday.

The visit showcased Australia's robust transnational education capabilities and they were also keen on finding new avenues for collaboration, joint programmes, institutional partnerships, and sustainable education models with Indian institutions, said a media release.

The organisation pointed out in a statement that the delegation to the QS India Summit 2026 in Goa was led by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) who also attended the summit.

The theme of the summit was 'India@2047: Building Skills, Achieving Scale, Driving Innovation'. The event served as a platform for discussing the future of Indian higher education and how to access the education market of India which is among the fastest growing internationally, it added.

Following their commitments in Goa, the delegation travelled to New Delhi for a global conference on the international education sector, the release added.

On top of that, Austrade hosted market briefing sessions, roundtable discussions with key Indian stakeholders, and networking meetings with the representatives of Indian universities.

The meetings also gave the Australian delegation a chance to showcase their capabilities and have well structured conversations with the decision makers to discover new models of transnational education partnership, the statement said.

On the occasion of the visit, Vik Singh, Trade and Investment Commissioner, Australian Trade and Investment Commission, said that the delegation was a landmark moment in Australia, India transnational education relations.

“As the largest Australian TNE mission to India, it reflects the strong intent of Australian universities to co-create globally relevant education models with Indian partners. Through structured dialogues in India, we are looking to deepen trust, expand institutional partnerships, and unlock innovative collaborations that respond to the future skills needs of both countries,” he said.

Australia-India TNE Week 2026 underscores the Australian government’s commitment to strengthening education and skills engagement with India under the New Roadmap for Australia’s Economic Engagement with India, officials said.

Delhi has been ranked the world’s most affordable city for international students as per a report by Knight Frank, Deloitte India and QS. The study highlights India’s cost advantage, growing student population and rising global interest in the country as a major higher education destination. Delhi has been ranked as the world’s most affordable city for international students according to a report released by Knight Frank, Deloitte India and QS. The report highlights India’s growing appeal as a global education destination which is driven largely by low education costs and improving urban infrastructure.

The findings are part of the report titled ‘India’s 155 Million Student Mandate’which as Februaury 4. Along with Delhi which has topped the global affordability list, Mumbai ranked 11th and Bengaluru stood at 15th.Delhi tops global affordability rankings

The report noted that Delhi has emerged as the ‘world’s most affordable student city, ranked first globally’.The ranking is based on the QS Best Student Cities 2026 which evaluates the most attractive cities for international students worldwide.

A total of 150 cities were assessed across six equally weighted categories which include affordability, employer activity, university ranking, city desirability, student voice and student mix. Among these, affordability was identified as India’s strongest advantage.

Low costs give Indian cities an edge

The report underlined that affordability plays a crucial role in students’ decisions when choosing study destinations.

‘Affordability remains one of the most decisive factors for international students and parents, and this is where Indian cities outperform almost every major global education hub,’ the report said. It added that tuition fees, living costs and purchasing power in Indian cities compare favourably with popular education destinations in the UK, the US, Europe and Australia. ‘For students, and thereby parents, this translates into lower total cost of education without sacrificing quality, reduced dependence on long-term student debt and strong return on investment due to employability outcomes,’ the report added.

India emerging as global education hub

The consultants noted that global universities are increasingly looking at India not just as a source of students but also as a destination for setting up campuses. ‘India is home to the world’s largest 18-23 age cohort, with nearly 155 million young adults, and is transitioning from a traditional outbound student market to a core geography for offshore university campuses,’ real estate consultant Knight Frank India said in a statement.

The report added that India is set to become one of the most strategically important destinations for global higher education due to policy reforms, demographic strength and urban readiness.

Shishir Baijal, International Partner, Chairman and Managing Director, Knight Frank India, said, ‘India’s higher education opportunity must be understood through the lens of cities and real estate. Policy enables entry, but it is the spatial strategy that determines success.’ He further said that global universities adopting a city-led and phased real estate approach would be best placed to establish a long-term academic presence in the country.

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