New Delhi : On 2 July 2026, the Consul General of India in Birmingham, United Kingdom Dr. M. Venkatachalam hosted a luncheon in a focused effort to strengthen India–United Kingdom academic and research collaboration through expanded cooperation in innovation, technology transfer, faculty exchange, student mobility, and joint educational programmes.
The meeting brought together leading academics and experts for detailed discussions on deepening institutional linkages between Indian and UK universities and advancing joint research initiatives across emerging fields.
Key participants included Prof. Mark Lee, Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (India) and Professor of Artificial Intelligence; Prof. Dr. Kiran Gulia, Professor of Academic Materials and Manufacturing at the University of Wolverhampton; Prof. Siddartha Khastgir, Head of Safe Autonomy at Warwick Manufacturing Group, University of Warwick; Prof. Wasim Hanif OBE, Medical Director at Birmingham City University and Professor of Diabetes & Endocrinology at University Hospitals Birmingham; Prof. Mohan Balasubramanian, Director of the Institute of Advanced Study at the University of Warwick; Prof. Pawan Budhwar, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor (International); and Dr. Shakeela, Head of Computing Department at SRM University, India.
The discussions underscored the growing momentum in India–UK academic ties, with a shared emphasis on fostering innovation-led partnerships and long-term institutional collaboration.