The British Council has unveiled a series of 12 new academic grants and two top-up grants worth a collective £500,000 to bolster industry-academia partnerships between institutions in India and the United Kingdom. This initiative is part of the British Council’s Going Global Partnership (GGP) programme.

The 12 new academic grants encompass a diverse range of collaborative projects, with most focusing on technological advancements. Here's a breakdown of these initiatives:

1. Development of Structural Health Monitored Advanced Recyclable and Transportable Hydrogen Tanks for High-Performance Aerospace Applications (SAMARTH): A collaboration between Swansea University (UK), the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, and Datum Advanced Composites Private Limited.


2. Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure, Security, and Data Analytics: In partnership with Cardiff University (UK) and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, with participation from EVI Technologies Private Limited.


3. Towards Next-Generation Education in Sustainable and Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure: A joint effort involving University College London and the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, in association with AECOM India Private Limited.


4. Developing Resilient Founders for a Better and More Equitable World: Mental Health Toolkits and Frameworks: Collaborating institutions include the London School of Economics and Political Science and ATLAS Skilltech University, with Mindhug Limited joining as an industry partner.


5. Hydrogen Energy for a Decarbonized Future (HEAD): In cooperation with University College London and Vellore Institute of Technology, alongside Siemens Energy Industrial Turbomachinery Limited as an industry partner.


6. Repurposing Retired Electric Vehicle Batteries for Sustainable Agricultural Applications: A project undertaken with the University of Warwick and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, supported by Nunam Technologies India Private Limited.


7. Supporting Socially and Environmentally Sustainable Sugarcane Expansion: Collaboration between Cranfield University and the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, with Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar Limited Uttar Pradesh, participating as the industry partner.


8. Development and Evaluation of a Student Wellbeing and Stress Management Module (DESTRESS): A project involving the University of Warwick and Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose College, with Mind and Matter Marketing Solutions Private Limited as the industry partner.


9. Sustainability Education in Indian Technical Higher Education: Curriculum and pedagogical approaches developed in partnership between University College London and the Indian Institute for Human Settlements, with support from Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India.


10. Her Game, Her Story: Developing A Media Training Programme for Women’s Sport: Collaboration between Bath Spa University and Jadavpur University, with Sportzworkz joining as the industry partner.


11. Empowering Tribal Coffee Growers in Odisha: A project in association with Anglia Ruskin University and the National Institute of Social Work and Social Sciences, supported by Tata Coffee Limited as the industry partner.


12. Feasibility Assessment of Renewable Assisted Wired and Wireless Charging for Electric Vehicles: A collaborative effort with the University of Nottingham and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, backed by Semtronics Limited as the industry partner.

The two top-up academic grants are dedicated to circular economy initiatives in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that aim to fight climate change and address environmental and health issues related to traditional cooking methods.

Over the past three years, the GGP has significantly fostered collaboration between Indian and UK universities. These grants have led to the creation of new courses, with a particular focus on climate studies and sustainability. During this period, the GGP has disbursed 70 grants, amounting to approximately £2 million, benefiting over 5,000 students. Moreover, it has contributed to a 30% surge in enrollments for UK Transnational Education (TNE) programmes.