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Building an education destination for non-resident Indians
With industry-integrated programmes and deep international partnerships, the Coimbatore-based university is redefining India’s higher education appeal for Gulf families
- PUBLISHED: Mon 26 Jan 2026, 12:10 PM
Once known primarily as an industrial and textile powerhouse, Coimbatore has quietly transformed into one of India’s most compelling higher education destinations. Today, the city attracts not only students from across the country but also a growing number of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), particularly from the Gulf, who are seeking globally relevant, affordable, and value-based education for their children.
At the heart of this shift is Coimbatore’s rare convergence of strong industry presence, academic depth, and quality of life. Its established engineering, manufacturing, healthcare, IT, and emerging deep-tech sectors provide fertile ground for industry-linked learning, applied research, and real-world problem solving. For families weighing education choices in an increasingly competitive global landscape, this ecosystem is proving decisive.
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“Coimbatore offers something very few cities can — academic excellence rooted in an industrially vibrant, culturally grounded, and safe environment,” says Dr. Paul Dhinakaran, Chancellor, Karunya University, Coimbatore. “It allows students to learn, innovate, and grow without the pressures and costs associated with larger metros.”
A City That Works For Both Resident Indians And Nris
For resident Indian families, Coimbatore’s appeal lies in its balance: high-quality institutions, comparatively lower living costs, and a calm, student-friendly environment. For NRIs — especially those based in the GCC, the city offers additional reassurance. Cultural familiarity, English-medium instruction, robust infrastructure, and strong academic outcomes make the transition from overseas schooling to Indian higher education smoother.
“Many Gulf parents want their children to study in India, but they also want global standards and employability,” Dr. Dhinakaran explains. “Coimbatore delivers both, without compromising on safety or values.
Karunya University’s Role In Shaping The Ecosystem
Among the institutions driving Coimbatore’s rise is
Karunya University, which has emerged as a benchmark for private higher education in South India. Spread across a 728-acre green campus, the university holds NAAC A++ accreditation, UGC Category 1 status, and a QS I-GAUGE Platinum rating, and is recognised in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025.
“These recognitions are not just badges,” says Dr. Dhinakaran. “They reflect sustained investments in research, faculty, infrastructure, and global engagement.”
Karunya’s emphasis on industry-integrated programmes has been particularly attractive to NRI families. Its collaborations include B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering with Google, Robotics and Automation with FESTO, MBA integrated with Zoho, Energy Science with AMARON, and Biomedical Engineering with Phoenix Medical Systems — programmes designed to align academic learning with real market needs.
To further lower barriers, Karunya offers up to 70% scholarships for eligible NRI students, alongside structured support for accommodation, mentorship, and visa processes. “Affordability combined with credibility is a powerful proposition,” Dr. Dhinakaran notes.
Research With National Relevance And Global Impact
Karunya’s ambitions extend well beyond teaching. Over the past few years, it has positioned itself as a research-intensive university, securing more than ₹600 million in funded projects from agencies such as DST, DRDO, ISRO, DBT, and ICMR.
“Our research focus is driven by real-world challenges — AI, robotics, renewable energy, water sustainability, biomedical innovation, and precision agriculture,” says Dr. Dhinakaran. “We are not doing research in silos; we are doing it with purpose.”
The university’s Nvidia DGX Supercomputer underpins advanced AI and deep learning work, while Centres of Excellence with Siemens, IBM, Nvidia, CISCO,
Microsoft, and Novell bridge the gap between theory and application.
This research-led approach has also enabled meaningful societal impact. Karunya has developed desalination and wastewater treatment systems with Ben-Gurion University and SUEZ India, AI-based assistive technologies for the visually impaired in collaboration with Harvard Medical School, and precision farming solutions alongside Israel’s Agricultural Research Organization. “These initiatives demonstrate how universities must operate today at the intersection of science, society, and sustainability,” Dr. Dhinakaran adds.
Global Engagement As a Core Strategy
A defining feature of Karunya’s model is its deep global integration. The university has active collaborations with institutions such as Technion and Hebrew University (Israel), RWTH Aachen (Germany), University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, and partners across Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia.
“Our students are exposed to global classrooms from early in their academic journey,” says Dr. Dhinakaran. “They participate in semester-abroad programs, international internships, joint research, and exchanges across more than 90 countries.”
Measuring Success Beyond Placements
While Karunya maintains a 100% placement record across departments, the university defines success more broadly. Its incubation ecosystem—through the Karunya Technology Business Incubation Park (K-TBIP), Karunya Incubation Foundation (KIF), and Karunya Innovation Design Studio (KIDS) — supports student startups, patents, and entrepreneurial ventures.
“Our goal is not just employability, but leadership,” Dr. Dhinakaran says. “We want our graduates to become ethical innovators and change-makers, wherever they choose to work.”