Scotland's Education Minister Michael Russell made his inaugural visit to Strathclyde's first overseas campus on November 9 in India during a wider tour of the country.
The Greater Noida campus has been developed by Strathclyde Business School and infrastructure company SKIL to provide undergraduate, postgraduate and masters level courses.
Mr Russell met some of the students on the first course – the Masters in Management – on his tour round the campus and he took part in a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony to mark the beginning of the new educational link between India and Scotland.
Mr Russell said: "Scottish universities are renowned across the world for the quality of their learning, teaching and research, and Strathclyde is amongst our best.
"The fact that it will be flying the flag for Scotland at this new university campus in India can only help cement our hard-won reputation for excellence and further strengthen the links between Scottish and Indian higher education institutions.
"That is why I am delighted to be here today, and to welcome the first students to study at this prestigious new campus in Greater Noida. We know there is a growing demand for high quality higher education in India and I am proud that Scotland is working hand in hand with Indian partners to help deliver the knowledge and skills needed to power economic growth at home and abroad."
Mr Russell was accompanied by Mr JP Rai, Group CEO of SKIL. Mr Rai, Group CEO of SKIL, said, "We are greatly honoured to receive His Excellency the Minister of Education at the campus. We have worked with Strathclyde to ensure that the original Strathclyde curriculum is delivered in the context of the role that Indian managers will be expected to play on the world stage. The Noida initiative is the first step, with many more such campuses coming up in the future, with ever-widening disciplines being covered."
Professor Metri, Dean of SSBS, said, "We are pleased to offer in India our global experience and exposure moulded together to cater for both the Indian and global business management environment. I'd like to thank SKIL for their patronage and support in setting up the campus in India."
The Masters in Management (MiM) programme is the first to be offered; a two year programme, it is aimed at developing entrepreneurial and dynamic graduates. Students in the first year will complete their core courses in India followed in the second year by one term of advanced electives in Glasgow. During the last semester in India, students will undertake an in-company project. Other courses are planned to be phased in next year and 2013.