The University of Leeds has strengthened its presence in India with a series of collaborations across the country.
A delegation led by Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Shearer West visited New Delhi to agree research and student education alliances spanning medicine, engineering, biotechnology and social sciences.
Over the past 25 years, the University’s activities in India have grown to include academic exchanges and research initiatives that address global challenges.
Last week’s visit reflects the growing importance of India within the University’s international strategy.
New memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed include renewed or new agreements with Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research (BIHER), the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee), Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (SBV), Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS Pilani), Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) and the University of Delhi (DU).
Professor West, who was joined by colleagues from the faculties of Biological Sciences, Medicine and Health and Engineering and Physical Sciences, said: “I am pleased to have led a delegation to India so early in my time as Vice-Chancellor and President at Leeds.
“India has developed an ambitious international higher education strategy, and we have unique opportunities to deepen existing partnerships and develop new ones.
“Our University’s strengths in research and innovation – especially in relation to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, health tech and social sciences – strongly align with those of our Indian partners. We also plan to develop new joint research and teaching programmes and opportunities for students to study overseas.
“The collaborations formed and renewed here are built on mutual respect, academic excellence and a commitment to tackling shared challenges.”
The agreement with the University of Delhi is grounded in a series of ongoing academic interactions led by the Leeds’ Faculty of Social Sciences, which was preceded by a successful joint workshop on social science research methods held in Delhi in April 2025.
The June visit marked the renewal of a longstanding collaboration between BITS Pilani and Leeds’ Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, which is expanding to develop plans for both research collaboration and student education.
Discussions also took place around boosting joint work with BIHER, particularly in the areas of antimicrobial resistance, public health and community engagement.
The MoU with the Regional Centre for Biotechnology, which will stimulate joint research in fundamental science, is complemented by a potential parallel agreement between RCB’s Bio-incubator and Nexus – the innovation hub at the University of Leeds – to foster industry engagement.
The visit was also an ideal opportunity to gather insights from Indian alumni to both enhance Leeds’ impact and encourage philanthropic engagement. Discussions also took place with the British High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron.
Professor Piruthivi Sukumar, Pro-Dean International for Leeds’ Faculty of Medicine and Health, said: “India is a key partner for the University of Leeds, not just in terms of academic collaboration, but also in co-producing research that is globally relevant and locally impactful.
“These MoUs represent our continued investment in building equitable, sustained partnerships that span disciplines, institutions and borders.”
Further information
Main image: Professor Shearer West, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Leeds and Professor Yogesh Singh, Vice-Chancellor, University of Delhi, sign a memorandum of understanding.
For further details, please contact the Universty of Leeds press office at pressoffice@leeds.ac.uk.