Grant Thornton Launches New Report Investigating Business
Opportunities in the Education System in India
The Indian economy has witnessed phenomenal growth over the last
decade and is now poised to be a preferred destination for
education organisations and investors looking to expand overseas,
says a new report launched by leading business and finance advisors
Grant Thornton UK LLP and the UK India Business Council.
'Education in India - Securing the Demographic
Dividend' presents both the opportunities and challenges for UK
educational institutions and investors considering expanding into
India. It also provides insights into the regulatory aspects these
businesses will need to consider in order to be granted access to
the market.
India's burgeoning population and increasing
household income have created substantial demand for quality
education that is challenging for existing schools and universities
to fulfil. According to the report, by 2012 there will be 600
million people aged under the age of 24 years old and the current
education infrastructure is unable to support this volume of
people.
The report highlights two key challenges that
any inward investor would face in planning to establish an
education institution in India. Firstly, the organisation would
need to secure accreditation from the many education-specific
regulatory bodies in India and secondly, an organisation would need
to set up an operating structure legally permitted to generate
profits given the restrictions regarding profits that are currently
in place.
David Barnes, Partner and Head of the
Education Group at Grant Thornton says: "The UK has world class
schools, colleges, universities and private sector players all with
the capability to operate internationally and, as such, we have
achieved an internationally recognized competitive advantage in the
education and skills sector. Coupled with extensive demand in India
for a better quality of education, there is a huge market potential
that UK companies could be part of."
Sharon Bamford, Chief Executive Officer of the
UK India Business Council says; "UK companies and institutions
operating in the education sector are often unsure about how best
to approach what is undoubtedly a complex market which requires
resources, planning and a long term view. The good news is that
support is available, both in terms of regulatory advice and in
building the networks crucial for success. As our report “Education
in India: Securing the Demographic Dividend” demonstrates, the size
of the opportunity cannot be ignored."
ENDS
For further information or a copy of
the report, please contact
Nicola Daley , Grant Thornton Press Office,
0207 728 2244/ nicola.daley@gtuk.com