India hosts BRICS Network University Conference and International Governing Board Meeting

📌 Summary:

• As part of India's BRICS Presidency 2026, the Ministry of Education convened the International Governing Board (IGB) meeting of the BRICS Network University (BRICS NU) on 21 July 2026 (virtual), after a Conference on Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge Systems on 20 July 2026
• Participating countries included Brazil, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa and the UAE, reflecting the expanded BRICS membership
• The Conference (first of its kind under BRICS NU) deliberated on mapping, documenting, preserving and responsibly digitising traditional and indigenous knowledge, stressing ethical governance, community ownership, equitable benefit-sharing and responsible use of AI; it produced Guiding Principles for the IGB
• The IGB supported a proposal to add Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge Systems as a new International Thematic Group (ITG) under BRICS NU
• The Board reviewed the BRICS NU Action Plan (2025-2028), discussed a new BRICS NU website, and adopted the BRICS Network University IGB Declaration; India's BRICS theme is "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability"

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 International Relations — India's BRICS Presidency, multilateral higher-education cooperation, and soft-power promotion of traditional knowledge systems

📝 Prelims Facts:

• BRICS Network University is a consortium for higher-education, research and academic mobility among BRICS members
• India holds the BRICS Presidency 2026; theme: "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability"
• New proposed thematic area: Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge Systems

🔑 Key Term: BRICS Network University — a network of universities across BRICS nations for collaborative research, joint programmes and student/faculty exchange