What happened (20–21 July 2026): BRICS NU conference and International Governing Board updates
The Ministry of Education organised a virtual BRICS Network University (BRICS NU) conference during India’s BRICS Chairship 2026 on 20 July 2026. The conference theme was “Need and Challenges of Preservation of Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge Systems in the Digital Age”.
The BRICS NU conference was divided into three sessions:
Mapping, Identification and Systematic Documentation of Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge Systems across BRICS CountriesPreservation and Protection of Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge SystemsRole of Digital Technologies in Preserving Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge Systems
During these sessions, subject experts from India and BRICS member countries discussed mapping, identification, systematic documentation, preservation, protection, and use of digital technologies for traditional and indigenous knowledge systems. The Ministry of Education shared with BRICS members a set of guiding ideas titled “Guiding Principles on Strengthening Collaboration on Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge System”.
An International Governing Board (IGB) meeting of the BRICS NU took place virtually on 21 July 2026. The IGB meeting included updates from board members on collaborative activities among 178 participating universities across 11 International Thematic Groups (ITGs).
Related current affairs
- India hosts BRICS Network University conference and International Governing Board meeting to strengthen BRICS higher education cooperation
- India’s BRICS Chairship 2026: initiative to undertake an International Skill Gap Study and proposal for BRICS Guiding Principles on traditional and indigenous knowledge systems
- Draft UGC Regulations, 2025: UGC continues consultations before finalising teacher appointment norms
- Central Government expands access to higher education for SC students via Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme
- Rajya Sabha Written Reply: Regulation of Fees in Private Schools under RTE Act and CBSE Rules
- Parliament Questions: Access to Higher Education under National Digital University Initiative
