The University's Bhopal campus has been officially opened.

The unveiling of the campus was attended by a range of dignitaries, including Leeds Met International Dean Professor Elspeth Jones.

Leeds Met has begun delivery of a range of courses in Bhopal, in partnership with JSWS (Jagran Social Welfare Society). JSWS is a non-profit charitable welfare organisation dedicated to providing world-class standards of education in India. A new 36 acre residential campus, built by JSWS, will offer Leeds Met courses in Business, Management and Hospitality, with others planned for future years. All students will undertake a minimum of one semester in Leeds.

The new campus boasts impressive facilities including a library equipped with the latest e-learning technology, wi-fi access, residential accommodation and recreational facilities. The first cohort of students enrolled this month, including students from countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia.

Professor Jones said: "This exciting development is in line with both our internationalisation and widening participation strategies. It enables those students to gain Leeds Met qualifications who could not afford, or would be unable for other reasons, to undertake the whole of their programme in the UK.

"Courses run in parallel with those delivered in Leeds.  This will mean that students can transfer easily from Bhopal to Leeds and we aim to encourage Leeds students to undertake part of their studies in Bhopal. I met students from the first intake, who are lively, interested and keen to participate.  They are proud to be pioneers in this new venture."

Her comments were echoed by Academic Director Phil Clements, who said: "courses follow the pattern and schedule of the UK programmes, enabling students from India to transfer to Leeds and for UK students to study in India. Leeds-based staff will fly in to teach in Bhopal, supported by locally-appointed lecturers. Each course will have a compulsory semester of study in the UK. A variety of media and resources will be used and students will have direct access to on-line resources from Leeds Met.

"The courses are not dependent on a single textbook as many courses in India are and students are encouraged to develop as independent learners to prepare them for study in the UK and for the world of work.  As in the UK, assessment is by a variety of methods including project work, presentations, case studies and dissertations as well as exams."