New India–UK Education Alliance to Boost Transparency and Support for Indian Students

Indian students pursuing higher education in the United Kingdom are set to benefit from a major collaborative initiative announced in London. The National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK has entered into a strategic partnership with the International Consultants for Education and Fairs (ICEF), a globally recognised leader in international education services.

The newly formed alliance aims to transform the student recruitment ecosystem for Indians heading to the UK by strengthening transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct—beginning from the first counselling session and lasting through the entire academic journey.

With over a million Indian students travelling abroad every year and a large majority relying on education agents, NISAU UK highlighted that ensuring reliable, accurate guidance has become essential. ICEF CEO Markus Badde emphasised that international students “deserve clarity, transparency, and support they can rely on,” adding that this collaboration combines ICEF’s global reach with NISAU’s strong advocacy for student welfare.

Key focus areas under the partnership

Initially, NISAU UK and ICEF will work jointly on three major objectives:

• Promoting ethical and transparent recruitment practices between India and the UK

• Developing shared quality benchmarks and guidelines for students, counsellors, and universities

• Publishing joint research and sector insights to inform policy decisions and improve broader education practices

NISAU UK Founder and Chair Sanam Arora noted that at a time when students face rapidly changing visa regulations and shifting global policies, reliable guidance is more important than ever. She said the partnership “places students at the centre of recruitment systems,” adding that ICEF’s quality-focused framework aligns strongly with NISAU’s mission to protect students from misinformation or unethical practices.

The organisations also expect this collaboration to help counter misleading or exploitative behaviour by certain agents operating in India—an issue that has become increasingly significant as more students explore international study options.

Earlier this year, NISAU UK introduced the world’s first student-centric ‘Agent of the Year’ award, aimed at recognising agencies that prioritise ethical counselling and genuine student support. The award will be presented at the India-UK Achievers Honours in London in February 2026, with categories including “Outstanding Agent of the Year” and “Highly Commended Agent.”

Arora said the award will empower both students and universities to identify and recommend trustworthy agencies. The ceremony will bring together leaders from education, policymaking, and diplomacy, strengthening cooperation across the India-UK higher education corridor.