Imperial has launched its new science hub, Imperial Global India, in Bengaluru, India.
Imperial says that research programmes with Indian partners will focus on helping to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges in areas such as climate change and sustainability, food and water security, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The hub, Imperial Global India, will strengthen partnerships between Imperial and leading universities and institutes in India, act as a communication channel to form closer ties with industry and policymakers, and provide a platform for greater collaboration in science and technology innovation between India and the UK.
Imperial has today announced that the hub, which is being established as a Liaison Office, will support joint research projects, long-term collaborations, student scholarships, collaborative PhD programmes and fellowships.
Imperial Global India has announced its first key initiatives:
- The India Connect Fund will support up to 25 joint research projects every year between Imperial and partners in India in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum science, biotech and clean energy.
- The Future Leaders Scholarship is Imperial’s biggest ever scholarship programme for Indian scientists and will support 75 STEMB students over the next five years.
- The establishment of six high-impact Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Global Faculty Fellowships with the National Centre for Biological Sciences and Indian Institute of Science to develop a London-Bengaluru AI in Science Network.
- Investment in a Global Challenge Lab programme to bring together hundreds of UK and Indian students each year to jointly co-create innovative solutions to UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- Investment in high-impact doctoral training networks in science and technology through a new collaborative PhD programme with the Indian Institute of Science, bringing together UK and Indian PhD students to work on joint research projects. This will be enhanced by a Global Fellows programme facilitating doctoral-level exchanges between leading laboratories in the UK and India.
The hub was formally launched at an event at the Science Gallery Bengaluru where India’s top business leaders, policymakers and scientists discussed ways to expand India-UK partnerships in science, technology and innovation.
Speakers included: N.R. Narayana Murthy, Founder – Infosys Limited; Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairperson, Biocon Group; Srinath Ravichandran, Cofounder & CEO, Agnikul Cosmos; Dr Anjana Badrinarayanan, Associate Professor at National Centre for Biological Sciences and Schmidt AI in Science Fellow; Vidit Aatrey, CEO and Founder, Meesho; Mr Priyank Kharge, Minister for Electronics, IT and Biotechnology, Government of Karnataka; and Dr M.C. Sudhakar, Honourable Minister for Higher Education, Government of Karnataka.
The event was hosted by Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial, Vindi Banga, Chair of Imperial’s Council, and Imperial Global India Academic Co-Directors Professor Sanjeev Gupta and Dr Elena Dieckmann.
Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London, said: “Our new science hub Imperial Global India will forge and strengthen links between Imperial and partners in India.
“Through the hub we will support several flagship programmes including research projects, long-term collaborations, student scholarships, collaborative PhD programmes and fellowships in areas such as telecoms, critical minerals, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum, biotechnology and health-tech, and advanced materials.
“These initiatives will help deliver solutions to the world’s biggest challenges."
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairperson, Biocon Group, said: “I believe that Imperial College, in partnership with Indian academia, can play a pivotal role in elevating the profile of biotechnology—shining a spotlight on its transformative potential and positioning it alongside AI as one of the most exciting frontiers of science and innovation. The solutions of tomorrow will not be born in isolation.
"They will emerge from cross-border, cross-disciplinary, cross-sector collaborations. And in that spirit, Imperial Global India stands as a bold and necessary step towards scientific diplomacy and innovation-led cooperation.”
The Rt Hon David Lammy MP, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs said: “Education lies at the heart of the UK's relationship with India. It forms the core of the living bridge between our nations and unlocks opportunities that benefit both countries.
“I'm delighted that Imperial College London, one of the world's best and most international universities, is strengthening its partnerships in science, technology and innovation with India.
“The UK-India Technology Security Initiative, agreed on my visit to Delhi in July 2024, sets out how we will work with India across many of the defining technologies of the decade. The new hub will make critical contributions to these shared UK-India ambitions, driving economic growth, creating skilled jobs, and improving lives in the UK, India and worldwide.
“These new partnerships will further create a dynamic two-way flow of ideas and talent to drive shared prosperity and address global challenges in areas ranging from health and climate to telecoms, AI, quantum, biotech and critical minerals.”
UK Science Minister Lord Vallance said: “Science is international by definition. We can aim higher and go further when we work together. This is especially true for the UK and India, where deep links in areas like life sciences are bolstered by our deepening trade relationship, and our unique historical and cultural bonds.
“Imperial’s presence in Bengaluru will enable its international community of students, researchers and innovators to work with their India-based counterparts, on efforts that could drive growth, unlock investment, and deliver breakthroughs from health to energy, and beyond. It also boosts a formidable global network the University is building, across the world. These efforts are a prime example of why working on science research with international partners like India, is an important part of the Government’s Plan for Change.”
Read more about what people are saying about Imperial Global India.
Imperial's strong links with India
During the visit to India to launch the hub, President Brady met with Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan.
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan said: "It was a pleasure to learn more about Imperial’s culture of research and innovation, collaborations with India and the world, future plans, among others."
President Brady also met with Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India and Dr Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary.
The hub is being led by Earth scientist Professor Sanjeev Gupta and biomaterials researcher Dr Elena Dieckmann.
Imperial is ranked second best university in the world and top in the UK in the latest QS World University rankings.
The UK and Indian governments share ambitions for deeper collaboration on science to drive economic growth, create skilled jobs and improve lives in the UK, India and worldwide.
Through the hub Imperial will seek to develop joint projects that leverage the best of UK and India science and innovation, whilst also engaging with joint government priorities in areas ranging from telecoms, AI, quantum, biotech and critical minerals.
Imperial already has a strategic partnership with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, that is supporting joint research projects in a range of scientific areas, as well as close links with the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT).
Imperial academics are collaborating with partners from 400 Indian institutions across India. Top collaborators include the Indian Institute of Science Bangalore (IISc), Christian Medical College Vellore, the All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences, IIT Bombay, and IIT Delhi.
Imperial also has a growing number of strong industry connections in India. Imperial and Tata Steel’s Centre for Innovation in Sustainable Design and Manufacturing is developing innovative new manufacturing processes to help decarbonise steel production. Imperial recently hosted Tata Steel to explore new technologies for green steel making.
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Imperial Global
Imperial’s strategy, Science for Humanity, set out plans to establish a network of hubs in strategic global cities to amplify Imperial’s impact.
The network is building long-term collaborations with a diverse range of partners and stakeholders, fostering new high-impact partnerships with industry, government and knowledge organisations, and developing deeper links with alumni.
Imperial Global India will join the Imperial Global network of hubs in Singapore, San Francisco, USA and Accra, Ghana.
This article was first published by Imperial College London.
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