Why now is the time to capitalise on Indo-UK research collaboration opportunities, ET Education

Authored by Dr Michael Spence AC, President & Provost, University College London

The growing momentum in India’s research landscape is good news not just for India, but also for research collaborators around the world, including the UK. Partnerships between leading universities in India and the UK expand the capacity of both countries to realise the economic and social benefits of research and innovation. Through collaboration, scientific progress can be accelerated to the benefit of both countries and the broader global community.

UK universities place substantial value on partnerships with Indian institutions, recognising India as a vital partner in advancing global research. Existing collaborations enable both countries to leverage their strengths in science, technology and innovation, while tackling pressing global issues such as climate change, healthcare challenges and sustainable development. Both nations are well-positioned to solve these challenges and shape a more sustainable future.

A booming opportunity

India’s rapidly expanding higher education sector provides fertile ground for even more collaboration. With more than 44,000 universities and colleges, and a student body numbering around 41 million, India has cultivated a vast talent pool, brimming with diverse perspectives and ideas. Over the past three decades, the growth of private universities has significantly contributed to this development. Since 2001, the number of higher education institutions has surged by more than 400%, and this has coincided with a dramatic rise in research output, with intellectual property filings nearly doubling over the last decade.The international community stands to gain tremendously from this burgeoning higher education and research environment in India. UK universities are already working closely with many Indian institutions to address mutual challenges, and by strengthening these ties, both nations can ensure that their research and educational systems remain globally competitive. Furthermore, at a time when the higher education landscape faces several serious challenges, fostering new research partnerships with Indian institutions is not only shrewd, but necessary.

Importance of renewed commitment

In this context, the UK and India reaffirmed their commitment to joint research initiatives through a £16 million co-investment, marking a significant milestone in the relationship. This commitment, announced at the UK-India Science and Innovation Council meeting in 2023, focuses on collaborative efforts in areas such as animal health, artificial intelligence and sustainable development. The investment, matched by the Indian Government, is supporting four joint research programmes addressing these global challenges.

The first of these programmes is a £5 million initiative aimed at improving farmed animal health through a deeper understanding of infectious diseases and treatment resistance. This programme is a collaboration between the UK’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and India’s Department of Biotechnology. Another £5 million project, led by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and India’s Department of Science and Technology, is focusing on sustainability efforts, including sustainable materials, manufacturing and advancements in power electronics and drives.

Elsewhere, a UKRI project studying seismic activities to improve understanding and resilience to earthquakes has received a £3 million boost in partnership with India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences, and a £3.3 million project between the UK’s Science and Technology Facilities Council and India’s Department of Atomic Energy aims to push the boundaries of scientific research, particularly in quantum science and nuclear technologies.

Top research institutions leading the way

Current research projects between India and the UK show what is possible if the two countries continue to work together on making the world a better place. For instance, a global observational study involving UCL and the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research in Pondicherry, India, showed in 2023 that many newborns are dying because the antibiotics used to treat sepsis are losing their effectiveness. This study has provided vital information which will help to better design clinical trials and ultimately improve the care and outcome of babies with neonatal sepsis.

The Indo-UK research relationship is supported by some of the most prestigious research institutions in both countries. Leading UK universities such as UCL, Imperial College London, the University of Manchester, and the University of Cambridge are actively engaged in various collaborative research efforts. On the Indian side, prestigious institutions including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), the Indian Institute of Science Bangalore, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre are at the forefront of these efforts.

Building on past success

The recent joint investment between India and the UK has laid the foundations for a much deeper, more impactful partnership. Previous successful collaborations highlight the importance of international cooperation in tackling the world’s most urgent challenges, and what can be done through international cooperation, but there is still much more that can be achieved. By continuing to foster and expand partnerships between Indian and UK academia, both countries can advance their research agendas while contributing to the creation of a more equitable and sustainable global future.