Acumen India 10 States Report: Tamil Nadu

INDIA 10 STATES REPORT

INDIA 10 STATES REPORT — TAMIL NADU

Overview Robust Educational Landscape

» Strong commitment to

International School and Curriculum

» Prominent hubs, exemplified by

colleges, 74 medical colleges, and 2,829 higher education institutions » Fosters academic excellence and innovation across diverse disciplines

» Offers globally recognised

curricula for a well-rounded, internationally competitive education

Fee Structure and Affordability

» Reasonable fee structure,

emphasis on affordability » Increasing expenditure on education and government initiatives for accessibility

Multilingual Advantage

» High English proficiency,

average IELTS score of 6.5 » Facilitates smooth communication in an international academic setting

Alumni Success Stories

» Institutes like IIT Madras

produce successful graduates who contribute significantly both nationally and internationally

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Supportive Government Policies

» 62 universities, 440 engineering

education, substantial funds allocation » Initiatives like collaboration with IIT Madras, partnerships with global entities foster academic growth

Research and Innovation Hubs IIT Madras

» Collaborations with Siemens,

GE, and Dassault Systèmes for technological advancements

Healthcare and Paramedical Services

» Vellore is renowned for worldclass healthcare institutions

» Hub for medical and

engineering education with a focus on healthcare

Thriving Metropolis: Chennai

» Called the “Detroit of India”, hub for technological innovation

» Home to prestigious institutions like IIT Madras and Great Lakes Institute of Management

W T I

Tamil Nadu, home to major cities such as Chennai, Coimbatore, and Madurai, has experienced considerable economic growth in recent years, driven by a strong industrial base and skilled workforce.

With its goal of becoming a one trillion US dollar economy by 2030, the southern state is focussed on improving educational infrastructure, fostering global collaboration, and promoting innovation. Tamil Nadu is renowned for its prestigious academic institutions and has strategic initiatives in place to advance research and development, industry partnerships and international education opportunities. The state’s economic strength, coupled with a stable employment market and increasing demand for overseas education, positions Tamil Nadu as an important player within India’s education sector.

WE ARE THE MOS INDUSTR We (Tamil Nadu) are the most industrialised state in India with over 45,000 factories, making Tamil Nadu a manufacturing powerhouse.

We are number one in automobile and automobile component manufacturing, number one in tyre manufacturing, and the country's top electronics manufacturer contributing to over 30 percent of India’s exports.”

T. R. B. Rajaa

Industries Minister, 2024

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INDIA 10 STATES REPORT — TAMIL NADU

Addressable Market According to the All India Survey on Higher Education by the Ministry of Education 2021-22, Tamil Nadu has the third highest Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education at 47% (as compared to the All India Survey average of 28.4%.)

This means that the number of students enroled in colleges and universities as a percentage of the eligible population between 18 to 23 years is higher than average in this state. The GER among women is also higher when compared to men in Tamil Nadu at 47.3% for women and 46.8% for men. The state also has the highest GER among

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Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (officially recognised and historically disadvantaged indigenous communities) students. It is clear from these numbers that the addressable market for higher education in Tamil Nadu is large and diverse, with a high demand for quality education and a strong supply of skilled talent.

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Educational Indices:

» Literacy rate: 80.1% » Performance Grading Index (PGI) Ranking*: 590.4 » Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER): 47 Industrial and Service Sector Infrastructure: » Established Industries:

- Agriculture and Allied

» Emerging Industries:

Industries - Textile Industries

- IT and ITeS - Tourism - Electronics and Allied Sectors

Globalisation:

» Tamil Nadu Government Collaborations:

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- IIT Madras for Digital Learning in 6,000 Government Schools - WEF for India Center for Advanced Manufacturing - Siemens, GE, and Dassault Systèmes for Startups - British Council for Student and Faculty Exchange Programmes

Overseas Education Growth:

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» Ranked 6th among states in India for Study Abroad Programmes » Steady increase in the number of students studying overseas » Number of Indian students pursuing overseas studies: - 2018 - 39,000 (7.5% of total) - 2019 - 42,000 (7% of total) - 2020 - 16,000 (6% of total)

- 2021 - 26,000 (5.9% of total) - 2025 (estimated) - 63,000 (6.7% of total)

Labour Market Links:

» Tamil Nadu Workforce Dynamics:

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- Surpasses national participation - Varied rural and urban patterns

» Urban Employment Trends:

- Majority in growing regular jobs

» Rural Work Landscape:

- Dominated by casual and self-employment

» Entrepreneurship in Focus

*Performance Grading Index (PGI) measures the performance of States/UTs in school education.

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INDIA 10 STATES REPORT — TAMIL NADU

Tamil Nadu, particularly Chennai, with its vibrant academic ecosystem and conducive environment for internationalisation, stands as a beacon of opportunity for universities worldwide. Here at IIT Madras, as the Dean of Global Engagement, I am privileged to witness firsthand the incredible potential of emerging India, particularly in the realm of higher education.

The increasing number of collaborations with international institutes in the form of joint masters programmes, the newly launched IIT Madras international campus in Zanzibar, and the emergence of several centres of excellence and their international collaboration stand as a testament to the opportunities available for internationalisation in higher education institutes in Chennai.”

Prof. Raghunathan Rengaswamy

Marti Mannarriah Gurunath Institute Chair Professor and Dean, Global Engagement, IIT Madras 06

Conducive Environment to Transfer Educational Environment

Financial Environment

62

440

International Curriculum Schools

Universities

Engineering Colleges

Average annual fee USD $12,087 18,130

74

2829

Medical Colleges

Degree Colleges*

State with highest Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) = 47

Economic Growth 2nd highest GSDP USD $354 bn (projected for 2023-24); Per Capita Net State Domestic Product (2023-24) USD $45 bn

FDI Inflows USD $9.85 bn 2019-23, fourth highest in India

*Provide undergraduate education and degrees

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INDIA 10 STATES REPORT — TAMIL NADU

Emerging Educational Hubs of Tamil Nadu Chennai: Also known as Madras and renowned for its thriving IT, biotechnology, aerospace, and education sectors. In the 2023 CBSE Class 12 board results, Chennai ranked third place with 97.4% of students having passed.

Coimbatore: Known as the “Manchester of South India,” this city has notable textile and engineering industries including Larsen & Toubro, General Electric, and Schneider Electric.

Tiruchirappalli: The city is also an educational hub, hosting premier institutions like NIT Trichy and IIM Trichy, and several other renowned colleges and schools.

Madurai: With its rich cultural heritage, Madurai has been a centre of learning and commerce since ancient times. Known for its historic Meenakshi Amman Temple, the city has long fostered Tamil literature, art, and education.

Vellore: Renowned for its world-class healthcare and educational institutions, Vellore is a hub for medical and academic excellence.

Salem: With a strong industrial presence, Salem focuses on research and development, making it a growing hub for fostering academic and technological advancements.

Kanyakumari: Located at the southern tip of India, Kanyakumari holds unique cultural significance with beautiful beaches attracting tourists as well as being a growing engineering education hub.

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INDIA 10 STATES REPORT — TAMIL NADU

Overview & Heat Map of Tamil Nadu Salem

Population: 1,190,000 Steel and Iron Foundries, Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals, Paper and Pulp, Electronics and Electrical Equipment

MAHSA University, Naresuan University

Government: Periyar University, Indian Institute of Handloom Technology. Private: Vinayaka Mission’s Research Foundation

1.19mn

Coimbatore Population: 3,000,000

1.24mn

3mn

Textile and Engineering L&T, General Electric, Schnider Electric

State University of New York, Deakin University, University of Groningen, European Erasmus Munsus Programme

Government: Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International School of Textiles & Management.

Private: Amritha Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore Institute of Technology, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)

1.87mn

Kanyakumari Population: 2,090,000

Tourism, Education, Renewable Energy, Trading and Retail

Noorul Islam Centre for Higher Education (NICHE) University

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2.09mn

Industry

Universities

Collaboration

Population

School Education

12mn 0.61mn

Chennai

Population: 12,000,000

Vellore

Population: 610,000 Education, IT & BPO, Healthcare, Manufacturing USA: Johns Hopkins University, Virginia Tech, University of Texas, California State University, University of Texas at San Antonio, University of California, Arizona State University, France: Ecole de Caen, University of Technology Compiegne Government: Thiruvalluvar University Private: Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Christian Medical College (CMC)

Madurai

Population: 1,870,000 IT, Healthcare, Handloom, Hospitality and Tourism, Textiles, Automobile Components, Rubber and Plastic Products, Marble and Granite

Chennai works with various international universities for semester abroad programmes, twinning programmes, and dual degree programmes in the USA, Australia, and others. Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai has a collaboration with the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Academy of Maritime Education and Training, Kanathur Government: Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, designated as one of India’s eight Institutes of Eminence having collaborations with over a hundred universities globally including Indian Maritime University, Madras Medical College, National Institute of Fashion Technology, Central Leather Research Institute.

Private: SRM Institute of Science and Technology

Tiruchirappalli Population: 1,240,000

Engineering and Manufacturing, Textiles, Automobile Components, Defense and Ordnance Factories, Food Processing and Agro-based Industries, Education, Healthcare

University of Miami, University of Michigan, J.W. Goethe University, University of Manchester, CNRS Lab, University of Zurich

ESSCA Ecole de Management, ISCTE - University Institute of Lisbon, Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, George Mason University, Curtin University

Government: AIIMS, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai Institute of Social Sciences

Government: Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), and the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Bharathidason University

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INDIA 10 STATES REPORT — TAMIL NADU

Tamil Nadu holds immense potential for the internationalisation of higher education, owing to its diverse academic offerings, quality education, research excellence, robust infrastructure, cultural vibrancy, and supportive government policies. By leveraging these strengths and fostering greater collaboration with global counterparts, Tamil Nadu’s higher education institutions can position themselves as premier destinations for international students and scholars, thereby enriching the academic landscape and contributing to global knowledge exchange and innovation.

Prof. Dr. V Sasirekha

Dean - Management SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Vadapalani, Chennai

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Ability to Transfer: Academic Quality Presence of International Curriculum Schools:

»

96 Cambridge International schools

»

From 2016 to 2019, the overseas study market grew over 7% year-on-year

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INDIA 10 STATES REPORT — TAMIL NADU

The Top Higher and Secondary Education Institutes as per National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) Institutions in Top 30 NIRF Ranking Architecture and Planning: 1

Institutions in Top 40 NIRF Ranking

Overall Rankings: 18

Universities: 22

Dentistry: 7

Colleges: 35

Agriculture: 5

Engineering: 15

Institutions in Top 50 NIRF Ranking Research institutions: 9

Medical: 8

Law: 2

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Institutions in Top 100 NIRF Ranking

Management: 10

Pharmacy: 10

T A P

Tamil Nadu has a high density of higher education institutions, ranking fourth nationally with 40 colleges per 1 million residents.

Data from the 2021-22 academic year shows there are 58,801 schools in the state, catering to a student population of 1.3 million. Passing percentages for Class 12 and Class 10 examinations administered by the Central Board of Secondary Education in 2023 were 97.3% and 98.97%, demonstrating the strength of the education system. With a culture

of academic excellence combined with a growing number of students and government support for international education opportunities, Tamil Nadu presents a favourable environment for collaboration with foreign universities.

These factors establish the state as a valuable market for higher education partnerships.

LITERACY RATE

80.1%

IELTS SCORE OF

6.7

THE HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY

TAMIL NA AMONG PERFORM Tamil Nadu is among the top performing states in Manufacturing and Information Technology, with alumni becoming top CEOs of multinational giants like Sundar Pitchais and Indira Nooyi. The development is well spread out evenly across the entire state and not concentrated in Chennai only and boasts the largest number of Engineering and Medical colleges (Government and Private) in India, and in terms of GDP Tamil Nadu is among the top three.

All these factors contribute to the well-being of Tamil Nadu’s education system.

J. J. Anand

Retired Prof. Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai

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INDIA 10 STATES REPORT — TAMIL NADU

Internationalisation in the Higher Education Sector: Now is the Time to Think Tamil Nadu

Government Support for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Tamil Nadu is in the process of establishing the India Centre for Advanced Manufacturing in collaboration with the World Economic Forum to drive research, sustainability and innovation in manufacturing. Focussed on technology adoption, industry-academia partnerships, and green production, this initiative was developed with industry stakeholders.

The Indian government has put forth plans to create several knowledge parks across major cities to attract semiconductor, renewable energy, and solar manufacturers. In addition, significant funding is being provided to promote digital transformation and the fourth industrial revolution.

Strong Demand for Quality Education With high literacy, a strong performance in education, and economic growth, Tamil Nadu has a robust market for education. Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli, and Vellore form the core academic centres in this attractive, low-risk recruitment and partnership environment.

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International Engagement and Knowledge Exchange Plans also include developing an international knowledge city with global university branches, research hubs and skills training. Universities are being encouraged to create research parks, partnering with economic development agencies. The state also strongly supports interdisciplinary research related to key sectors like agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure and social sciences.

Academic and Innovation Excellence Tamil Nadu ranks highly in the India Innovation Index for knowledge output, diffusion, and talent. It is a leading hub for research parks, innovation centres and sectors of excellence. The state attracts many multinational corporations and is among the top destinations for employment and hiring talent.

Low-Risk Recruitment Environment Tamil Nadu has a low rate of student visa rejections, creating significant opportunities for international enrolment across its universities. Emerging recruitment regions include Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli and Madurai, while places like Vellore, Salem and Kanyakumari also show promise.

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INDIA 10 STATES REPORT — TAMIL NADU

Key Insights and Recommendations for Advancing International Engagement The data featured in this report provides valuable insights for international higher education providers seeking to engage with the vibrant state of Tamil Nadu.

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Tamil Nadu boasts a literate, economically stable population and low risk environment for educational institutions. While branding and promotional efforts have traditionally focussed elsewhere, there remains significant untapped potential given the steady growth in students pursuing opportunities overseas.

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Additional factors such as high innovation indices, top ranked universities and colleges, literacy rates above the national average, widespread international curriculum exposure in schools, and exceptional student performance indicators demonstrate Tamil Nadu’s opportunity for knowledge exchange.

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A foundation of globally renowned research institutions, skilled local workforce and industrial clusters foster opportunities for innovation and collaboration. Centres such as Chennai, Vellore, and emerging hubs like Coimbatore showcase regional strengths and offer avenues to deepen international impact.

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Crucially, the state government’s visionary plans, committed budget, and existing partnerships with leading international organisations, provide a framework to advance global learning objectives. Engaging with Tamil Nadu allows institutions to leverage these advantages and meaningfully further internationalisation goals in Indian higher education.

The Acumen India 10 States Report: Tamil Nadu, highlights several advantages for higher education in the region.

Tamil Nadu has a Gross Enrolment Ratio that is significantly higher than the national average, demonstrating both strong demand for quality education as well as a skilled talent pool. Additionally, with the government making substantial investments to support university research and initiatives that align education with industries, Tamil Nadu presents ample scope for partnership and growth in this field.

According to innovation metrics, Tamil Nadu performs well and is attractive to multinational firms and skilled professionals, offering a relatively lowrisk environment for international student recruitment and enrolment across its university system. Emerging recruitment regions within the state include Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli and Madurai.

Given these many strengths, international higher education providers would be well advised to leverage the opportunities in Tamil Nadu to further their global learning objectives and meaningfully advance internationalisation goals within Indian education.

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UPCOMING EDITIONS OF ACUMEN’S

INDIA 10 STATES REPORT Karnataka

01

Gujarat

05

Andhra Pradesh

09

Maharashtra

02

Punjab

06

Chandigarh

10

Tamil Nadu

03

Uttar Pradesh

07

Delhi

04

Kerala

08

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