The University of Manchester announces the launch of three new partnerships with leading Indian institutions, reinforcing its strong and long-standing connections in India.
A delegation from the University visited the country this week to develop our first education partnership in India, with the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani. The two universities will establish a range of learning opportunities for students from BITS Pilani in the fields of engineering and computer science.
Two new research partnerships have been launched this week with the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) and the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE). Agreements have been signed by both institutions to mark the start of seed corn funds, which will help to create research projects addressing shared interests in India and the UK.
Professor Stephen Flint, Associate Vice-President International at The University of Manchester and leader of the University's visiting delegation, said: "As The University of Manchester enters its third century, these exciting new partnerships both deepen and broaden our relationship with India. India is a key global partner, and we are incredibly proud of our joint educational ventures and commitment to academic collaboration over the years, which we know will continue for many more."
Professor Ramgopal Rao, Vice Chancellor at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani said: "This Memorandum of Understanding marks a significant milestone for BITS Pilani as we strengthen our commitment to providing world-class education and research opportunities.
"By partnering with a globally renowned institution like The University of Manchester, we are confident that we can create transformative learning experiences for our students and contribute to cutting-edge research that addresses pressing global challenges."
Lt. Gen. (Dr.) MD Venkatesh, Vice-Chancellor at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) said: "We are delighted to welcome the delegation from The University of Manchester to MAHE, Manipal, and sign the Memorandum of Understanding. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to advancing research, fostering innovation, and creating new opportunities for students and faculty across both institutions.
"We look forward to deepening our engagement through joint research initiatives, co-supervised PhDs, and academic exchange programmes, especially in healthcare, biological sciences, and engineering. Together, we aim to drive impactful outcomes that benefit our academic communities and society at large."
Professor G.U. Kulkarni, President at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) said: "The signing of this Letter of Intent marks an important step toward strengthening research collaboration between both institutions, particularly in the field of materials science. The collaboration will enable both institutions, known for their academic excellence, to derive benefits from synergy between them and be a fruitful platform for new initiatives."
These new partnerships build upon the University's established relationships with the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Ashoka University, and O.P. Jindal Global University.
The University of Manchester was the first UK university to launch a joint PhD programme with an Indian institution, the dual award PhD with IIT Kharagpur, in 2021. Today, the University's joint programmes with IIT Kharagpur and IISc nurture early career scholars from across India.
The University of Manchester also works closely with industry partners in India. A long-standing relationship with Tata Steel has seen the establishment of a Centre for Innovation in Advanced Materials at the Henry Royce Institute, which is focused on medical, 2D and second-life materials to emphasise the importance of reusing and recycling resources.
