Mumbai: In a major step towards expanding global education opportunities for students in Maharashtra, the state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Bristol Mumbai Campus Private Limited here, on Wednesday. The agreement, formalised at Vidhan Bhavan, aims to provide world-class higher education to deserving students through a fully funded scholarship programme.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who described the partnership with a globally prestigious university like Bristol as “a matter of pride for Maharashtra.” Also present during the ceremony were Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakantdada Patil, Additional Chief Secretary B. Venugopal Reddy, University of Bristol Vice-Chancellor Prof. Evelyn Welch, COO Lucinda Parr, Director Julia Hall, and CEO Ashwin Damera.

Under the agreement, the state government and the university will jointly implement the Chief Minister and University of Bristol Scholarship Scheme, designed to support meritorious students from socially or economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The scheme includes a 100% tuition fee waiver for selected students for the entire duration of their undergraduate programme.

The University of Bristol Mumbai Campus will fully fund the scholarship, ensuring that high-achieving students gain access to top-tier global education without financial burden.

Chief Minister Fadnavis stated that such collaborations demonstrate the power of government–academia partnerships. “When we work together, we can build a brighter future for Maharashtra’s youth,” he added.