BRICS nations have agreed to expand cooperation on higher education, artificial intelligence in learning and a proposed new university ranking system, according to the New Delhi Declaration adopted by leaders at the 2026 summit.
What the declaration contains
The declaration endorses deeper collaboration on several fronts across member countries, including the creation of a common research repository, support for youth-led start-ups and measures to better align higher education with future workforce needs. It also called for greater exchange in early childhood care and education, foundational literacy and numeracy, and digital literacy.
Among the education initiatives highlighted were:
- Further exploration of a BRICS University Global Ranking and Evaluation System, which has been under discussion since 2023 and would aim to provide a framework that recognises the differing structures of higher education across member states.
- Stronger institutional partnerships through the BRICS Network University and the BRICS Rectors’ Forum, to boost student and staff exchanges, scholarships and collaborative research.
- Cooperation on the safe and ethical use of emerging technologies, including AI, in teaching and learning.
Leaders agreed that a specialised workshop to develop the proposed ranking and evaluation system will take place between September and December 2026, according to the summit documents reported.
Structure and aims of the proposed ranking
The intended ranking is described as an effort to accommodate the diverse characteristics of BRICS higher education systems rather than impose a single metric. It would be supported by existing BRICS platforms that bring together university leaders and rectors to coordinate academic collaboration and mobility.
| Proposal element | Reported detail |
|---|---|
| Ranking system | Under exploration since 2023; workshop scheduled Sept–Dec 2026 |
| Research sharing | Common research repository proposed |
| Student mobility | More scholarships and mutual recognition of qualifications supported |
Implications for South African higher education
For South African universities, the BRICS focus on AI, digital literacy and skills-aligned programmes presents both opportunity and competition. Greater cooperation could open pathways for joint research projects, postgraduate exchanges and recognition agreements that make cross-border study and employment smoother for graduates.
At the same time, a BRICS-specific ranking could shift perceptions of university quality among stakeholders who currently look to established global league tables. The proposed system aims to weigh context-specific strengths — such as a university’s role in serving developmental goals or producing research relevant to national priorities — rather than relying solely on traditional indicators used by existing global rankings.
What to watch next
- The outcomes of the specialised workshop planned for September–December 2026, which will begin to set the methodological framework for the proposed ranking.
- How BRICS universities and rectors coordinate through the BRICS Network University and Rectors’ Forum to implement mutual recognition and exchange programmes.
- The development of safeguards and guidelines for the ethical, human-centred adoption of AI in classrooms and research, to ensure technologies support—rather than replace—educators.
"The declaration called on BRICS countries to share best practices on the safe, ethical and human-centred use of emerging technologies, including AI, in education," reported the summit communique.
As governments and universities consider how to adapt curricula and research priorities, the emphasis in the declaration on aligning education with labour market needs will be critical. For learners, teachers and parents, the practical benefits will hinge on whether policies translate into funded exchanges, recognitions of qualifications and classroom-ready AI tools that support foundational learning and teacher development.
South African institutions will need to assess whether engagement with BRICS initiatives advances national education goals, improves access to postgraduate opportunities, and strengthens research that addresses pressing social and economic challenges.
