Executive Summary
As part of India’s 2026 BRICS Presidency, the Union Ministry of Education hosted the BRICS Network University (BRICS NU) Conference and International Governing Board (IGB) meeting on July 20–21, 2026. The engagement focused on strengthening higher education and research collaboration, resulting in the adoption of the IGB Declaration and the proposal of a new thematic area for cooperation. Key deliverables include the review of the 2025–2028 Action Plan and the conceptualization of a new International Thematic Group.
Key Points / Main Content
New Thematic Area and Knowledge Systems
Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge Systems: Proposed as a new International Thematic Group (ITG) under the BRICS NU framework to institutionalize collaboration in this field.
Governance Framework: Emphasis placed on ethical governance, community ownership, equitable benefit-sharing, and responsible digital dissemination of indigenous knowledge.
Technological Integration: Focus on the responsible use of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, in the mapping and preservation of traditional knowledge.
Institutional Progress and Strategy
Action Plan 2025–2028: The Governing Board reviewed the three-year action plan to guide future academic and research initiatives.
IGB Declaration: Member countries successfully adopted the International Governing Board Declaration to reaffirm their commitment to the network.
Digital Infrastructure: Plans were discussed for the development of a new BRICS NU website to facilitate better communication and resource sharing.
Collaboration and Mobility
Academic Cooperation: Commitments made to enhance academic mobility, collaborative research, and institutional partnerships among member nations.
Member Participation: Representatives from Brazil, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates shared best practices and national initiatives.
Presidency Theme: Activities were aligned with India’s presidency theme: "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability."
Impact Analysis
BRICS Member Countries (Government Representatives)Impact
Member nations have established a reaffirmed collective commitment to a leading platform for research and innovation, expanding the scope of their diplomatic and educational ties.
Action Required
Member countries must continue consultations on the concept note for the Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge Systems proposal to move toward formal implementation.
Participating Universities and AcademicsImpact
University leaders and researchers gain access to a broader institutional network, increased mobility opportunities, and a new framework for collaborative research in traditional knowledge and emerging technologies.
Action Required
Academic institutions should align their collaborative activities with the newly reviewed 2025–2028 Action Plan and prepare to utilize the forthcoming BRICS NU website.
Indigenous and Traditional Knowledge CommunitiesImpact
These communities are identified as central to a new thematic area of international cooperation, with a focus on protecting their intellectual property through ethical governance and equitable benefit-sharing.
Action Required
Relevant stakeholders must ensure that future documentation and digital dissemination of their knowledge systems follow the "Guiding Principles" developed during the conference.
Key Entities Referenced
BRICS Network University (BRICS NU): A consortium of higher education institutions from BRICS member countries aimed at strengthening collaboration in higher education, research, and innovation.
International Governing Board (IGB): The decision-making body of the BRICS Network University that adopts declarations and oversees the network's thematic and institutional developments.
BRICS Network University Action Plan (2025–2028): A strategic policy document reviewed to guide institutional cooperation, academic mobility, and collaborative research within the network.
Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge Systems: A newly proposed International Thematic Group (ITG) and research area focused on the mapping, preservation, and ethical governance of indigenous knowledge.
Ministry of Education: The Union Ministry of India that convened the international meetings as part of India's BRICS Presidency 2026.
Ministry of Education
India hosts BRICS Network University
Conference and the International Governing
Board Meeting, strengthening BRICS Higher
Education Cooperation
Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge Systems proposed as
a new thematic area under the BRICS Network University
International governing board adopts declaration and
advances academic cooperation
प्रव तथ: 22 JUL 2026 7:22PM by PIB Delhi
As part of India's BRICS Presidency 2026, the Union Ministry of Education successfully convened
the International Governing Board (IGB) meeting of the BRICS Network University (BRICS NU) on
Tuesday (July 21, 2026) in virtual mode, following the BRICS Network University Conference on
Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge Systems held on Monday (July 20, 2026). The two-day
engagement brought together government representatives, university leaders, academics and experts
from BRICS member countries to strengthen collaboration in higher education, research and
innovation.The IGB meeting was inaugurated by the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. K. M.
Praphullachandra Sharma, while Dean (International Relations), IIT Bombay, Prof. Sudarshan Kumar,
presented an overview of the BRICS Network University, its expanding institutional network and
ongoing collaborative initiatives. Member countries also shared updates on their participating
universities and academic cooperation activities undertaken during the past year.
Representatives from the BRICS member countries, including Brazil, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran,
Russia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, along with university leaders, academics and
experts, delivered country interventions showcasing national initiatives and best practices. The
deliberations reaffirmed the collective commitment to strengthening the BRICS Network University
through enhanced academic cooperation, collaborative research, institutional partnerships and
knowledge exchange.
A key highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the outcomes of the BRICS Network
University Conference on Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge Systems, the first conference of its
kind under the BRICS NU framework. The conference deliberated on the mapping, documentation,
preservation and responsible digital dissemination of traditional and indigenous knowledge systems,
while emphasizing ethical governance, community ownership, equitable benefit-sharing and the
responsible use of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence. The Conference also
developed Guiding Principles on Strengthening Academic Collaboration on Traditional and
Indigenous Knowledge Systems for consideration by the International Governing Board.
Recognising the significance of this emerging area of cooperation, the International Governing Board
deliberated on the proposal to include Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge Systems as a new
International Thematic Group (ITG) under the BRICS Network University. The proposal received
broad support from member countries and marks an important milestone towards institutionalising
collaboration on traditional knowledge within the BRICS higher education framework. Member
countries agreed to continue consultations on the concept note with a view to advancing the proposal.
The Governing Board also reviewed the BRICS Network University Action Plan (2025–2028),
discussed the development of the new BRICS NU website, considered measures to enhance
institutional cooperation, academic mobility and collaborative research, and adopted the BRICS
Network University International Governing Board Declaration after detailed deliberations.The meeting reaffirmed the collective commitment of BRICS member countries to strengthening the
BRICS Network University as a leading platform for higher education, research, innovation and
people-to-people exchanges. India thanked all participating delegations for their constructive
engagement and reiterated its commitment to advancing academic cooperation under the theme of its
BRICS Presidency, "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability."
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