“U.K. has a very strong relationship with India and Prime Minister Theresa May’s visit last year was to build on that relationship and make it stronger. Her meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the trip to Bengaluru was to explore new avenues and expand international trade ties,” said British Deputy High Commissioner in Bengaluru Dominic McAllister, on his day-long visit to Manipal University on Wednesday.
According to a statement issued by the university here on Thursday, during a valuable interaction with students and faculty, Mr. McAllister first spoke of the long association between the two countries. “There is the historical relationship, the people relationship and educational relationship. All that means there is the capacity to build on that relationship and make it stronger. We believe that gives a new opportunity for trade between the two countries, and there will also be new opportunities in academics,” he said.
He then spoke of some of the programmes and scholarships the U.K. universities have and the opportunities on offer, both for individuals and institutions.
He also met Manipal University’s senior officials, including Pro Chancellor H.S. Ballal, Vice-Chancellor H. Vinod Bhat, to discuss avenues for further collaboration with U.K. universities and catapult centres. Mr. McAllister told them about the new avenues for institutional partnership and funding available through the U.K.-India Education and Research Initiative (UKERI) programme.
He appreciated that there are existing partnerships between Manipal and institutes in Sheffield and Lancaster. He was hopeful of more such partnerships in the future.
Mr. McAllister also spoke about the Chevening scholarships and fellowships. Chevening Scholarships in India are awarded to outstanding emerging leaders to pursue a one-year Master’s at any U.K. university. The scholarship programme provides a unique opportunity for future leaders and decision-makers to develop professionally and academically, network extensively, experience U.K. culture, and build lasting positive relationships with the U.K. The Chevening Fellowships are unique to India and aimed at mid-to-senior level professionals and provide an opportunity to expand their knowledge and expertise in their specific field of work. These are tailored, short courses (8-12 weeks) at a designated U.K. university.
