Ahmedabad & GIFT

1/5

North East

2/5

Goa

3/5

Sri Lanka

4/5

About the Expedition

Acumen introduces The South Asia Expedition to support its international universities to yield their presence and recruitment goals for South Asia. It is an initiative designed to connect international universities with high-potential students, forward-thinking schools, and regional academic institutions across India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

South Asia is one of the fastest-growing regions for outbound student mobility, with an expectation of reaching 4% growth by 2030. This surge is driven by a combination of youthful populations, stong English-medium education, strong cultural emphasis on international academic success and aspiration for global citizenship.

What's in it for you?

Engage with high-quality, globally-minded students from top schools with a strong interest in international education.

The South Asia UG Expedition

Explore UG recruitment opportunities across South Asia

India | Sri Lanka | Nepal

 Small, curated fairs with a max of 15 universities—ensuring visibility and meaningful conversations.

 Explore high-growth regions with rising outbound mobility, beyond the traditional recruitment trail.

Nepal

5/5

Ahmedabad, a dynamic city at the heart of India’s economic and educational landscape, presents a promising opportunity to connect with motivated students and reputable academic institutions.

Significant Student Outflow

Gujarat contributes approximately 8% of Indian students studying abroad, translating to around 94,400 individuals out of 1.18 million in 2022.

Economic Powerhouse

Ahmedabad is Gujarat’s largest city and economic hub, with per capita income exceeding GBP 2500 — one of the highest among Tier-2 cities.

Strong Household Investment in Education

Education spending per household in urban Gujarat grew by 12% CAGR over the last 5 years, reflecting a strong commitment to higher education

Dense Network of School & University Ecosystem

Ahmedabad hosts more than 30 universities and over 1,500 higher education institutions, along with 100+ international curriculum schools (IB, IGCSE, CBSE International). These institutions actively support study abroad initiatives and are open to collaborations with global universities.

Featured Destinations

The North East, long known for its cultural richness and academic talent, is now gaining momentum as a high-potential region for international education engagement. Cities like Shillong and Guwahati offer strategic access to a growing student population with strong aspirations for global learning pathways.

Economic Growth Driving Educational Aspirations

The North East has seen an average economic growth rate of 6–7% annually, with improving urban incomes and increasing investment in education.

Surge in Student Mobility

According to the Ministry of Tourism, student outflow from the North East grew by 30% YoY (2023), with top destinations being the UK, Australia, and Canada.

Increasing Education Infrastructure

The region also includes more than 800 higher education institutions and 1,000+ secondary schools, many of which are CBSE, ISC, or beginning to implement international curricula.

Strong Education Base

Over 60% of students in urban Shillong and Guwahati opt for English-medium education, ensuring language readiness for study abroad.

With its high literacy rates, cosmopolitan mindset, and robust education infrastructure, Goa is quickly gaining recognition for its evolving education sector, marked by a blend of progressive schools, globally-minded students, and a growing interest in international pathways.

High Literacy and Academic Readiness

Goa boasts one of the highest literacy rates in India at 88.7%, well above the national average. The state's focus on quality education, especially English-medium instruction, has created a student base that is linguistically and academically prepared for international studies.

Global Exposure Driving Academic Ambitions

Goa’s thriving international tourism industry gives students early exposure sparks curiosity and ambition to pursue education abroad. Many students see studying overseas as a natural extension of the global interactions they witness daily.

Growing Economy Ideal for International Education Investment

Goa’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for FY 2023–24 is estimated a GBP 11.02 billion, with per capita income at GBP 4,684—the highest in India. This economic strength translates into high education spending, especially on higher and overseas education.

Sri Lanka is emerging as a dynamic center for academic growth and international collaboration. With a strong foundation in English-medium instruction, high literacy levels, and a growing number of schools offering global curricula, the country is home to students who are ambitious, well-prepared, and eager for international exposure.

High Literacy boosting Strong Education Foundation

Sri Lanka boasts a literacy rate of over 92.6%, one of the highest in South Asia. The country has a well-established public and private school system, with English widely used as a medium of instruction, especially at international and urban schools.

Growing Demand of Mobility

In 2023, the number of student visa applications for Australia alone increased by over 40% YoY. Since then, there has been an increase in the number of students pursuing studies in the USA, UK, Canada, Malaysia, and India.

Growing Presence of Globally-Aligned Schools

Sri Lanka is home to 100+ international schools, offering IB, Cambridge (IGCSE/A-Levels), and Edexcel curriculums. Institutions like British School in Colombo, Lyceum International, Gateway College, and CIS Kandy consistently send students abroad for undergraduate and postgraduate studies.

Nepal is quickly emerging as a strategic destination for global academic engagement. With a vibrant and youthful population, there’s a clear shift toward international learning pathways and future-focused mindsets.

Youthful Demographic

Nepal has a median age of just 24 years, and over 40% of its population is under 25, creating a massive pool of potential higher education seekers.

Growth in Study Abroad Numbers

Nepal is one of the top 10 source countries for international students in the UK, Australia, and Japan, and is quickly rising in Canada and the US.

High Performance Rate

85% of private schools in Nepal use English as the medium of instruction which enables Nepali students to consistently score well in IELTS, TOEFL, and SAT, making them academically prepared and linguistically equipped for international programs.

Registration Form

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