The University of Birmingham has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore. Established in 1909, IISc is regarded as the premier institute for scientific research in India, and is the top ranked Indian institute in world university rankings. Many of India's most distinguished and internationally renowned scientists are alumni or have served as faculty. It currently hosts some of the leading academics in India in the field of Science and Engineering.

This MoU is a result of developing academic engagement between both institutions. While initial research links exist between the Division of Biological Sciences at IISc and the College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, the MoU has university-wide application with the intention that these links are a precursor for much wider interaction between the two institutions.

Dr. Apoorva Bhatt and Dr. Peter Lund, respectively Lecturer and Reader in Molecular Microbiology at the University of Birmingham, said: “We are delighted to have signed the MoU with IISc Bangalore, which formalises the ties between two institutions with world-class research profiles in many areas, and will assist the formation of future links.”
To mark the signing of the MoU, University of Birmingham academics ran a Biosciences and Chemistry symposium at IISc in March 2011. This symposium provided an opportunity for staff to highlight research areas of mutual interest and to develop interactions between potential collaborators.

For further information, please contact:
Dr. Apoorva Bhatt
Medical Research Council CDA Fellow and Lecturer in Molecular Microbiology
School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham
Email: a.bhatt@bham.ac.uk