The University of Warwick celebrated the successful launch of the Warwick India Network (WIN) on Monday 16 March, taking place at the heart of One World Warwick, the University's celebration of global perspectives, cultural diversity and international collaboration. The timing underscored the spirit of the initiative, bringing people together across cultures, disciplines and experiences. More than 80 academic and professional staff and students joined the event to explore and shape Warwick's growing engagement with India.
WIN will serve as a new, vibrant community for colleagues and students with an interest in connecting with India, whether through research collaborations, educational partnerships, cultural engagement, or shared professional practice. The Network aims to strengthen the University's longstanding ties with India, support the development of strategic partnerships, and showcase the breadth of impactful work already taking place across Warwick.
The event opened with welcome remarks from Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor and President, followed by a keynote address from Dr Venkatachalam Murugan, Consul General of India in Birmingham. Dr Murugan reflected on opportunities for the UK and India to work more closely across technology, education, science, and innovation.
Following the keynote, Professor Michael Scott, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International), outlined Warwick's evolving International Strategy and the crucial role WIN will play in shaping institutional priorities;
The Warwick India Network will help us connect people across the University, bring together brilliant ideas, and shape the partnerships that will define our next phase of international engagement in India and with our Indian partners.
Launching it during One World Warwick highlights how our approach is rooted in collaboration and equity, building on Warwick's long‑standing links with India, particularly in manufacturing, and expanding these through partnerships based on mutual strength, shared priorities, and global reach.
WIN will bring our community together to support this work, helping us deepen research, strengthen education, and create the kind of international collaborations that benefit partners in India, those across our global network, as well as our staff and students here on campus.
Professor Virinder Kalra, the University's Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (South, Central Asia and Middle East), leading the University's strategy for the region, and the newly established WIN, added:
The strength of our relationship with India lies in the creativity and commitment of our Warwick community," said Professor Kalra. "WIN will help amplify this work, connecting colleagues, supporting collaboration, and ensuring that our approach to India is ambitious, thoughtful, and authentically rooted in partnership.
A panel of Warwick academics presented a diverse range of collaborative work with Indian partners:
- Professor Ann Stewart (Law School)
- Professor Emily Henderson (Education Studies)
- Gaurav Marwaha (Warwick Manufacturing Group)
- Dr Hita Unnikrishnan (Institute for Global Sustainable Development)
- Professor Meera Unnikrishnan (Warwick Medical School)
Their talks highlighted impactful projects across sustainability, education, medicine and technology demonstrating the depth of Warwick's collaborations with institutions and communities across India.
The Presidents of the Warwick India Forum and Warwick Indian Society offered reflections on student engagement, community-building, and the experience of Indian students at Warwick. The event concluded with a vibrant performance by the University's Indian Classical Dance Society, followed by refreshments and networking.
Warwick's connection with India continues to deepen across research, education, and alumni engagement.
- Student enrolments from India have doubled in the last four years.
- Warwick now has over 9,000 Indian alumni worldwide, with 6,000 based in India.
- Research collaborations span more than 250 partner institutions, generating significant joint publications across disciplines.
WIN will build on these foundations, acting as a hub for colleagues across the university and supporting future strategic partnerships.
Colleagues interested in joining the Warwick India Network
