UCL partners with IIT Delhi and AIIMS to boost research and innovation

University College London (UCL) has announced a series of new education and research partnerships during UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s first official visit to India, signaling a major step in strengthening academic and innovation ties between the two countries.

As part of the high-level delegation, UCL President and Provost Dr Michael Spence unveiled two major initiatives aimed at expanding collaboration in medical technology and assistive innovation.

During the two-day mission, Dr Spence announced the launch of the first research projects under UCL’s MedTech partnership with IIT Delhi and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

He also introduced a new trilateral collaboration between UCL’s Global Disability Innovation Hub and Indian partners to support assistive technology (AT) startups in Africa.

“UCL is proud to join this delegation and to deepen our longstanding partnerships with India. As a global leader in AI, quantum, and medical innovation, we believe that international collaboration is essential to tackling society’s biggest challenges,” said Dr Spence.

“By bringing together world-class expertise across borders, we can accelerate progress in healthcare, technology, and inclusive innovation and ensure that the benefits of research are shared globally and equitably,” Spence added.

Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle, who was also part of the delegation, said, “India is now the fourth-biggest economy in the world, and by investing billions of pounds to back thousands of jobs from sectors as diverse as AI, education, and financial services, it shows the scale of opportunity this presents for British businesses.”

“Their success in India will only grow as our new trade deal galvanizes economic partnership, brings our two countries even closer together, and ultimately delivers economic growth right across the UK,” Kyle added.

At an event in Mumbai on Oct 8, UCL, IIT Delhi, and AIIMS confirmed seven new projects to receive seed funding between £5,000 and £20,000. \

These joint research efforts focus on areas such as AI-assisted surgical tools for thyroid operations, inclusive technology to digitize medical records, light-based sensors to monitor labor, and affordable early detection tests for cervical cancer.

Professor Alok Thakar, Head of the Centre for Medical Innovation and Entrepreneurship at AIIMS, said, “This tripartite partnership between AIIMS, IIT Delhi, and UCL represents a transformative step in addressing some of the most pressing health and societal challenges.”

“By combining our expertise in medical science, engineering, and global policy, we are creating a platform for MedTech innovation. Together, we aim to develop impactful solutions, set new benchmarks in medical technology and interdisciplinary research, and enhance patient care delivery,” Thakar added.

Professor Rangan Banerjee, Director of IIT Delhi, added, “IIT Delhi is excited to be working together with AIIMS and UCL in the area of medical technologies. We believe that science, engineering, and medicine research and innovation can make a difference in people’s lives by providing affordable healthcare. Our partnership is poised to make a difference through cost-effective innovations in medical technology.”

UCL also announced the launch of the FCDO–Global Disability Innovation Hub Africa Trilateral Internationalization Programme, which will connect expertise from the UK, India, and Africa to support assistive technology startups.

The £150,000 initiative, co-funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and AT2030, will provide mentorship, training, and cross-market access to six startups from Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa.

The new initiative builds on the success of India’s Attvaran accelerator, which has supported over 20 AT startups since 2024.

By linking Indian engineering talent, African entrepreneurship, and UCL’s research expertise, the program aims to strengthen disability innovation ecosystems and promote inclusive development.

Throughout the visit, the UK delegation met senior trade and industry officials from Indian states and discussed collaboration in education, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and science.

The meetings also included discussions on the UK-India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, co-chaired by Peter Kyle and India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.