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New Delhi: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated that the purpose of artificial intelligence (AI) should be to empower human decision-making, creativity and ethical responsibility, rather than replace it. He made these remarks during the closing session of the India-Spain Higher Education Summit held on February 19-20, 2026, in New Delhi. The summit is part of the India-Spain Bilateral Year 2026, commemorating 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Minister Pradhan highlighted that “the National Education Policy 2020 promotes global academic collaboration,” and in this spirit, he invited leading Spanish universities to establish campuses in India. He reiterated that India is an open, secure and welcoming destination for higher education, research and innovation.
Balancing AI, Education and Human Values
Referring to the ‘India AI Impact Summit 2026’ held during the conference, the minister emphasized that AI should be developed in alignment with human values. He stressed that democratic nations must lead responsible innovation and stated that India and Spain are committed to partnering in this direction.
Key Benefits of Educational Collaboration
The India-Spain academic partnership is expected to bring several tangible benefits:
Joint Research and Innovation: Collaborative projects in AI, climate studies, health sciences and engineering.
Student and Faculty Exchange: Global exposure, multicultural learning
and enhanced academic quality.
Skill Development and Employment Opportunities: Upskilling through international curricula and global career pathways.
Startup and Entrepreneurship Support: Strengthening innovation ecosystems through university–industry collaborations.
AI-Driven Learning: Development of smart classrooms and research labs with ethical, human-centric AI.
Response from Higher Education Leadership
Union Secretary for Higher Education, Vineet Joshi, described the summit as a success, noting that it brought leaders from both countries’ higher education systems together and laid the foundation for long-term collaboration.
Spanish Ambassador to India, Juan Antonio March Pujol, called it the beginning of a collaborative process, including joint research, faculty student mobility and startup support. He expressed hope that the partnership would expand further in 2026.
Professor Eva Alcón, Chairperson of the Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE), stated that Spanish universities are committed to advancing international academic collaboration with India.
Participation and the Way Forward
The summit saw participation from over 30 Spanish rectors and 70 Indian higher education institutions. This engagement is seen as a significant step toward deepening strategic partnerships in education, research and innovation between the two countries.
Conclusion: The India-Spain higher education collaboration will not only promote academic excellence but also strengthen human-centric AI, skill development and global citizenship, paving the way for new opportunities and shared progress for the youth of both nations.
