India Institute hosts Deputy High Commissioner

A top UK Government diplomat in India led a mission of Indian IT chief executives who visited the University of Birmingham to discover how they might work with its research experts in bringing their businesses to Britain.

Deputy High Commissioner Chandigarh Andrew Ayre brought 19 delegates to the University, where they met representatives from University of Birmingham Enterprise – which manages technology transfer and business incubation facilities at the University.

Supported by the University’s India Institute, the group met David Coleman, Head of Enterprise Acceleration and Andrew Cruxton, Incubation Manager, at the BizzInn business incubator to learn more about the facilities and research talent available at Birmingham.

Mr Ayre commented: “I’m delighted to bring a senior delegation from Chandigarh to Birmingham to explore partnership and business opportunities.  There is real potential for a win-win in this city and an opportunity for the University of Birmingham to become a key partner with businesses in India.”

The group’s visit to the Edgbaston campus was part of the ‘Chandigarh IT CEO Digital Innovation Mission to the UK’. The delegation comprised of CEOs of SMEs, MDs and senior decision makers of companies based in Chandigarh region working in the area of digital innovation.

Professor Andy Schofield, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences Delegates welcomed the guests to the University.

Professor Andy Schofield commented: “We’re delighted to welcome Deputy High Commissioner Andrew Ayre to the University of Birmingham, as part of our long-standing engagement with India.

As a civic university with a global outlook, our India Institute affirms the University’s deep and continued commitment to the country, and our aim to contribute to Indian society, as our researchers forge links with counterparts to change millions of lives for the better.”

The West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) and the Midlands Engine Investment Hub were involved in organising the delegation, which also visited Manchester, Milton Keynes and Bristol as part of their trip to the UK.

ENDS

For more information about University of Birmingham Enterprise, or the BizzInn, contact Ruth Ashton, Reputation & Communications Development Manager, on +44 121 414 9090, or r.c.ashton@bham.ac.uk.  

For more information about the University of Birmingham, contact Tony Moran, International Communications Manager, University of Birmingham on +44 (0) 121 414 8254 or  +44 (0)782 783 2312 or t.moran@bham.ac.uk. For out-of-hours enquiries, please call +44 (0) 7789 921 165.

 Notes to Editors

• The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions, its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers and teachers and more than 6,500 international students from over 150 countries.
• The India Institute was established in January 2018 and brings Birmingham and India closer together to deliver impactful research, create innovative education initiatives and extend the University’s influence across the globe.
• The University’s relationship with India began in 1909 with the first cohort of Indian students attending the University to study for degrees in Mining and Commerce. Since then, the University has provided education to many outstanding Indian alumni.
• University of Birmingham Enterprise provides enterprise training, funding, office and laboratory space, and a full technology transfer service for the University.  The Enterprise team also manages facilities at the Birmingham Research Park, including the BizzInn business incubator and the BioHub Birmingham®.