University of Manchester plans new education and research centre in Bengaluru

The University of Manchester has announced plans to establish a new centre in Bengaluru, India, to strengthen its partnerships in education, research and innovation and expand opportunities for students, researchers and businesses.

The announcement was made on Oct 16 during the first-ever Great North Mayoral Mission to India, held from Oct 12 to 16. The mission brought together universities, businesses, civic leaders and cultural organisations from northern England to develop partnerships with Indian institutions and industry.

Bengaluru has been identified as the preferred location for the proposed centre because of its established higher education institutions, research facilities and technology sector. The centre is expected to provide a permanent platform for collaboration between Manchester’s academic community and India’s education, business and innovation networks.

Centre to offer internships and industry-led projects

The proposed Bengaluru centre will build on the University of Manchester’s Partner-Enabled Learning (PEL) model, which integrates practical, real-world projects into degree programmes.

Under this approach, students work on projects involving employers, public bodies and community organisations, gaining practical experience alongside their academic education. The model also emphasises skills such as problem-solving, adaptability, collaboration and engagement with employers through credit-bearing projects and micro-internships.

The university said the new centre would create opportunities for students to participate in internships, work placements and industry-led projects. It will also seek to connect academic expertise with industry knowledge and entrepreneurial talent to address shared challenges.

Manchester already has relationships with businesses and industry partners in India, including Reliance, Tata and Infosys. The proposed centre will build on these existing connections to expand industry engagement and create opportunities for students and researchers.

University strengthens partnerships with Indian institutions

The announcement builds on the university’s existing research and academic collaborations across India. Its partnerships cover areas including advanced materials, engineering, digital technologies, healthcare, sustainability and social sciences.

Among its existing collaborations are those with the Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru, BITS Pilani, the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research and the Manipal Academy of Higher Education.

The University of Manchester also launched a dual-award PhD programme with IIT Kharagpur in 2021, which it identifies as the first joint PhD programme of its kind established by a UK university with an Indian institution.

The proposed Bengaluru centre is intended to deepen these relationships while opening further avenues for international research and industry collaboration.

Centre aligns with Manchester’s international strategy

The centre forms part of the university’s broader strategy, From Manchester for the World, and aligns with its International Delivery Plan under the Manchester 2035 strategy. The plan identifies international partnerships as an important means of expanding research, developing educational opportunities and strengthening innovation ecosystems.

The university currently operates international centres in Dubai, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore. The proposed Bengaluru centre would extend its international presence in another major research and technology hub.

The announcement was made at an event at Science Gallery Bengaluru attended by Greater Manchester Mayor Bev Craig, university alumni and representatives from business and culture. Discussions on innovation and culture were led by Professor Duncan Ivison, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Manchester.

Commenting on the announcement, Professor Ivison said: “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.”

The university said its visit to India also formed part of its Challenge Accepted fundraising and volunteering campaign, which included launch events in Delhi and Mumbai.