The University of Manchester announced plans on October 15 to set up a new centre in Bengaluru. This hub aims to build partnerships in research and education. Professor Duncan Ivison said, “Our new Centre will be at the heart of deepening those relationships.” It will also offer students industry experience.
The University of Manchester has announced plans to set up a new centre in Bengaluru to expand its work with Indian students, businesses and researchers.
The announcement was made on October 15 during the first-ever Great North Mayoral Mission to India, which brought together universities, businesses and civic leaders from northern England to build ties with India.
The proposed centre will give the university a permanent presence in Bengaluru and help it develop new partnerships in education, research and innovation. The city was chosen because of its strong network of universities, research institutes and technology companies.
STUDENTS TO GET INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
The centre will build on the university’s Partner-Enabled Learning model, which brings real-world work into degree programmes.
Students could get opportunities to take up internships, work placements and projects linked to industry. The model aims to help students develop practical skills, including problem-solving, teamwork and adaptability, alongside their academic studies.
The university already has links with Indian companies, including Reliance, Tata and Infosys. It plans to build on these relationships to create more opportunities for students and researchers.
WHY BENGALURU?
Bengaluru is home to several leading educational and research institutions, as well as major technology companies. Many already work with the university’s academics and graduates.
The new centre was announced at an event at Science Gallery Bengaluru. Greater Manchester Mayor Bev Craig, university leaders, alumni and representatives from business and culture attended the event.
Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester, said the university had strong links with India across education, business and culture.
“Our new Centre will be at the heart of deepening those relationships and I’m very excited to see what we can give, and what we can learn over the coming years,” he said.
BUILDING ON INDIA PARTNERSHIPS
The proposed centre is part of the university’s global strategy, From Manchester for the World, which aims to expand its international partnerships.
The university already works with Indian institutions on research and doctoral programmes. In 2021, it launched a joint PhD programme with the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, becoming the first UK university to establish such a programme with an Indian institution.
Its other Indian partners include the Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research and Manipal Academy of Higher Education.