Leena Kukreja, Regional Managing Director of Coventry University Group’s India Hub in New Delhi, shares her thoughts on the importance of the diaspora living bridge between the UK and India, and how recent developments demonstrate the Group’s unique position in collaborative efforts between the two countries.
India is the emerging superpower of the 21st century, the world’s largest democracy with 1.4 billion people and one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has an ambitious goal for India to become a developed economy by 2047, and the UK Government is keen to engage with the country’s leaders as it emerges as a key supplier of the future global workforce. Coventry University Group is uniquely positioned to support these efforts.
In his first three weeks as Foreign Secretary, David Lammy visited New Delhi where he highlighted the two countries’ shared focus on economic growth. He underscored the importance of the ‘living bridge’ between the UK and India, which represents the 1.7 million people with Indian heritage that have made their home in the UK and make an exceptional contribution to British life.
With students from 162 countries, a large number of which come from India, our global education group is part of this ‘living bridge’. We are therefore perfectly placed to offer our expertise as the UK government seeks to deepen its ties with India in trade, tech and education.
The UK and India are on the cusp of signing a free trade agreement and David Lammy highlighted how both countries are working together on their shared ambitions to encourage innovation, boost trade and generate employment. Both nations are globally recognised powerhouses in science, innovation and technology, and the welcome announcement of the UK-India Technology Security Initiative will help to deliver growth and ensure long-term collaboration on ‘the defining technologies of this decade’.
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Working together
Science and technology partnerships in India are nothing new for Coventry University Group and our existing research and innovation projects are unlocking exciting new opportunities for both countries. In July, Dr Om Kurmi from Coventry University’s Centre for Intelligent Healthcare was in India. Along with partners from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) and Somaiya Vidyavihar University, he demonstrated to rural stakeholders the findings from their joint research project into how improving cookstoves in rural areas can lead to better health and environmental outcomes. This project was funded by the British Council’s Going Global Industry-Academia Collaborative research grants and has tremendous potential to impact the lives of millions of people living in India’s villages.
In July, I also attended the UK-India Business Council’s second annual Sustainability Dialogue in New Delhi. Green hydrogen has huge potential in India’s energy transition and at that event I was pleased to report that, with funding support from UKIERI, Coventry University Group will collaborate with Vellore Institute of Technology on hydrogen storage and transport. Dr Arivazhagan Anbalagan from Coventry University’s Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME) is leading this exciting research project, which promises to unlock technologies that will promote sustainable growth in India.
Recognising opportunities for greater collaboration in education, the PIE also held its first-ever event in India in July. Hosting the event in Mumbai, colleagues at the PIE invited Coventry University Group to talk about opportunities for innovative institutional partnerships in higher education. During my presentation, I highlighted how our partnership with global automotive technology company KPIT Technologies is aiming to accelerate upskilling in the automotive industry.
Best in class
Both organisations have come together to offer best-in-class academic programmes for professionals working in automotive engineering. The courses are co-created and co-delivered by faculty from both Coventry University and KPIT Engineering Academy, while Coventry University’s unique ‘flying faculty’ approach to delivery has helped ensure that academic and commercial partners can work closely together. I recently visited KPIT’s Pune campus to meet and congratulate our first cohort of KPIT-CUG graduates and I was delighted to hear of the outstanding educational experience they shared.
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Looking forward, we are exploring further ways to develop long-term strategic partnerships with Indian stakeholders through dual degrees, Cotutelle PhD programmes, Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) and through more industry-academia collaborations, particularly in the areas of health, sustainability and aviation.
The opening of our India Hub in New Delhi reflects Coventry University Group’s commitment to creating better futures with a truly global education offer. Our ongoing partnerships and initiatives in India represent an investment in future leaders who will uphold and strengthen the bond between our two countries. Drawing on our Group’s relationships and experience in India will enable the UK government to further strengthen the ‘living bridge’, therefore supporting employment, driving innovation and achieving sustainable growth on both sides.
*Info: Coventry University