Imperial – ranked second best university in the world and top in the UK in the latest QS World University rankings – will establish its Indian hub in Bengaluru to strengthen scientific, education and innovation partnerships between India and the UK.
The new hub, Imperial Global India, builds on longstanding links between the university and partners in India and will drive UK-India partnerships in science, technology, innovation and education.
The hub – established as a Liaison Office – will focus on strengthening and co-creating new partnerships between Imperial and leading universities and institutes in India, act as a communication channel to form closer ties with industry and policymakers, and provide a platform for greater collaboration in innovation between India and the UK.
Collaborations between Indian and UK scientists and innovators will co-develop emerging technologies to address shared challenges in areas such as telecommunications, critical minerals, semiconductors, AI, quantum, biotechnology and advanced materials, harnessing these for a healthier, more resilient world.
Imperial Global India will work hand in hand with academic, industry, and government partners in the UK and across India to create a dynamic knowledge bridge between the two countries to support a two-way flow of ideas, talent, expertise and resources. Imperial Global India seeks to enable the next generation of STEMB talent from students through to early career academics to find innovative solutions.
The hub initiative will be spearheaded by Professor Sanjeev Gupta and Dr Elena Dieckmann. Professor Gupta is an Earth Scientist who has researched the role of rivers on early civilisations in the Ganga basin and quantifying groundwater depletion with researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. Dr Dieckmann’s research interests lie in biomaterials and the circular economy and is currently working with researchers in India to repurpose waste solar panels for new architectural applications. Both academics will spend time in India to engage with partners and collaborators.
Imperial already has a strategic partnership with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, that is supporting joint research projects in a range of scientific areas.
“Imperial Global India will be a launchpad for powerful new collaborations in research, innovation and education between the UK and India." Professor Hugh BradyPresident of Imperial
Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London, said: “Imperial Global India will be a launchpad for powerful new collaborations in research, innovation and education between the UK and India.
“The hub will open communication channels with researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs and industry to apply cutting-edge science, technology and engineering solutions to shared global challenges in areas such as telecommunications, critical minerals, semiconductors, AI, quantum, biotechnology and advanced materials.
“Our ambition is to strengthen the bridge between the UK and India to drive economic growth and prosperity, create a more sustainable and resilient world and enhance the quality of life for billions of people.”
Professor Sanjeev Gupta, the Academic Co-Director for Imperial Global India, said: “India is buzzing with scientific creativity and technological innovation. Our aim is to build on our longstanding collaborations to forge deep and sustainable connections with academic and industry partners. We will apply our combined strengths, especially in emerging technologies, to tackle global challenges, such as how we will live in a changing global climate and how to meet our future energy needs."
Dr Elena Dieckmann, the Academic Co-Director for Imperial Global India, said: “The vision for Imperial Global India is incredibly exciting, particularly the potential to co-create and learn from the entrepreneurs in India's fast-paced and rapidly expanding innovation community. I see great synergy with Imperial's ability to take early discovery science and transform it into real-world technologies and applications.”
The two countries’ governments share ambitions for deeper collaboration on science to drive economic growth, create skilled jobs and improve lives in the UK, India and worldwide.
Through the hub Imperial will seek to develop joint projects that align with the UK-India Technology Security Initiative in areas ranging from telecoms, AI, quantum, biotech and critical minerals, as well as develop collaborative potential across STEMB disciplines.
Imperial Global India will launch with a special event in Bengaluru on Wednesday 21 May 2025. The launch event will convene leaders from across academia, business, industry and policy to explore the next frontiers of UK-India convergence science and innovation for a more resilient world.
Long-standing partners
India has been one of Imperial’s closest international partners for decades, with research partners collaborating across a wide range of areas including health, climate and emerging technologies. Current research partners include the Indian Institute of Science Bangalore, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.
Imperial scientists are working with academic, industry and government partners across a wide range of shared challenge areas, from developing next generation technologies for clean energy and co-producing policies for antimicrobial pollution, to training the next generation of infectious disease modelers.
Imperial also has a growing number of strong industry connections in India. Imperial and Tata Steel’s Centre for Innovation in Sustainable Design and Manufacturing is developing innovative new manufacturing processes to help decarbonise steel production.
In 2023 Imperial launched the India Connect Fund which supports joint-projects between scientists in India and Imperial. Imperial also launched its biggest ever scholarship programme to support Indian scientists.
The Future Leaders Scholarship programme supports talented Indian Master’s students.
Imperial Global
Imperial’s strategy, Science for Humanity, set out plans to establish a network of hubs in strategic global cities to amplify Imperial’s impact.
The network is building long-term collaborations with a diverse range of partners and stakeholders, fostering new high-impact partnerships with industry, government and knowledge organisations, and developing deeper links with alumni.
Imperial Global India will join the Imperial Global network of hubs in Singapore, San Francisco, USA and Accra, Ghana.
* Pending the completion of regulatory formalities to be able to set up our own liaison office, Imperial Global India will initially be managed by a service provider duly appointed by Imperial College London.
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