Catalysing Internationalization of Higher Education in India via NEP 2020 Technology Integration Initiatives

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 represents a transformative effort by the Indian government to elevate higher education to global standards through internationalization and technology integration. This study investigates the interrelationships between students’ awareness of NEP 2020’s technological components, their perceived benefits, and their perception of the internationalization of Indian higher education. Utilizing a quantitative research design, a structured online questionnaire was administered to 158 students across institutions affiliated with the University of Delhi. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, regression analysis, and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) were employed using SPSS and R Studio to test two core hypotheses. The findings reveal that student awareness of NEP significantly predicts its perceived benefits, and these perceived benefits strongly influence their perception of India’s global academic readiness. Key technological features such as online assessments, blended learning, MOOCs, and Academic Bank of Credit were positively received. The validated SEM model confirmed a strong indirect effect from awareness of NEP to the internationalization of education via perceived benefits. These insights provide empirical support for NEP 2020’s vision, highlighting the importance of technology in education. The study also addresses a critical literature gap by providing bottom-up evidence from students—the primary beneficiaries of NEP reforms. The findings have practical implications for policymakers, institutional leaders, and educators aiming to scale NEP 2020 effectively and align India’s higher education with global benchmarks.