In a significant push to enhance academic and research collaborations, the University of Birmingham dispatched its largest-ever academic delegation to India last month. The effort was spearheaded by Karan Faridoon Bilimoria, a British-Indian businessman, member of the House of Lords, and Chancellor of the University of Birmingham. Bilimoria, also the founder and chairman of Cobra Beer, led a team of 20 academics, including the provost of the University of Birmingham Dubai.
The delegation’s tour covered key cities including Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, and Pune. A major highlight was Bilimoria’s engagement with the Hindustan Petroleum Company Limited’s Green R&D Centre in Bengaluru, building on a recent partnership to develop an innovative hydrogen dispensing system aimed at transforming India’s transport sector.
Additionally, Bilimoria held strategic discussions with NITI Aayog in Delhi to further the university’s collaborations in India. In Mumbai, he inspired students at Atlas Skilltech University with insights from his entrepreneurial journey.
Bilimoria emphasized the importance of the visit: “Leading this delegation was an excellent opportunity to meet our research and education partners and connect with prospective students considering the University of Birmingham.”
The visit coincided with the launch of a new joint master’s program in sustainable energy systems with IIT Madras, expanding on a previous collaboration in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. This initiative underscores the vital role Indian students play in the University of Birmingham’s diverse student body.
“Britain remains a top destination for learning, and our graduate visa route is attracting international students to our esteemed institutions,” Bilimoria noted, highlighting the university’s top 100 global ranking and its commitment to welcoming Indian students.
During the tour, the delegation offered prospective students in various cities direct interactions with academic staff and career guidance from the university’s careers network team, providing a comprehensive insight into their future studies.