New Delhi, 19 February 2026. The Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE) took part today in New Delhi in the opening of a high-level institutional summit alongside representatives of the Ministry of Education of India, with the aim of consolidating and expanding structured cooperation between the university systems of both countries.
In her opening remarks, CRUE President and Rector of Universitat Jaume I, Eva Alcón, underlined the academic and scientific dimension of the bilateral relationship and stressed that “India is a strategic partner for the Spanish university system, not only because of the size and diversity of its higher education system, but also due to its growing leadership in science, technology, innovation and talent development.” She further noted that the summit “allows us to move forward on a shared agenda addressing key issues for the present and future of our universities.”
Alcón recalled that CRUE, which brings together 77 public and private universities, understands internationalisation as a structural dimension linked to academic quality and research excellence. In this context, she highlighted that over the two working days, discussions will focus on “the impact of artificial intelligence, the importance of academic mobility, the role of universities in supporting graduates in the creation of start-ups, and how lifelong learning responds to employability challenges.”
Strategic Priorities of the Summit
The programme is structured around round tables addressing the impact of artificial intelligence on teaching and the design of new degree programmes; the promotion of joint research projects across multiple technology-intensive fields; the mobility of academic staff, students and researchers between both countries; science and knowledge transfer and its link to entrepreneurship; the Ibero-American Knowledge Area and cooperation with Latin American universities; as well as lifelong learning and employability challenges.
The CRUE delegation, led by President Eva Alcón, includes, among others, Ricardo Mairal, President of Crue–Internationalisation and Cooperation and Rector of the Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia; Joan Guàrdia, President of Crue–Academic Staff and Rector of the Universitat de Barcelona; Concepción López, Presidential Delegate for Equality Policies and Rector of the University of Cantabria; José Capilla, President of Crue–Digitalisation and Rector of the Universitat Politècnica de València; Francisco Oliva, Member of the Governing Board and Rector of the Pablo de Olavide University; Antonio López, President of Crue–Secretaries General and Rector of the University of Santiago de Compostela; José Rodríguez, Rector of the University of Huelva; Antonio Largo, Rector of the University of Valladolid; Juan Romo, Rector of Alfonso X el Sabio University; and Juli Minoves, Rector of the University of Andorra.
The closing session, to be held tomorrow, 20 February, will be delivered by Ricardo Mairal, President of Crue–Internationalisation and Cooperation and Rector of UNED.
On the previous day, the Spanish delegation visited the exhibition spaces of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 and attended the plenary sessions of this international forum dedicated to artificial intelligence, which gathers leading figures from the scientific and technological fields. The bilateral university summit between Spain and India is being held within the framework of this forum.
