The proposed centre will connect the university’s academic expertise with India’s research, technology and innovation sectors.
The University of Manchester in the UK has announced plans to establish a new centre in Bengaluru to strengthen its engagement with India and expand collaboration with students, researchers, businesses and alumni.
The proposed centre will connect the university’s academic expertise with India’s research, technology and innovation sectors. It will support industry-led projects, internships and work placements, giving students opportunities to gain practical experience.
The announcement came during the first Great North Mayoral Mission to India, held from October 12 to 16, 2026. The mission brought together universities, businesses, civic leaders and cultural organisations from northern England to build partnerships with India.
The Bengaluru centre will follow the university’s Partner-Enabled Learning (PEL) model, which brings real-world challenges from employers, public bodies and community organisations into academic programmes.
The approach aims to help students develop practical skills, including problem-solving, adaptability and collaboration, alongside their academic learning. The centre will also create opportunities for students and researchers to work with industry partners.
The university already has links with Indian businesses, including Reliance, Tata and Infosys, as well as technology companies. The new centre will build on these relationships to strengthen industry engagement and create further opportunities for collaboration.
The university identified Bengaluru as its preferred location because of the city’s established higher education, technology and innovation sectors. The city is home to universities, research institutes and global businesses, many of which already work with the university’s academics and graduates.
Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester, said the institution had a long-standing relationship with India across education, business and culture. He said the proposed centre would help deepen these ties and create opportunities for mutual learning and collaboration.
The initiative forms part of the university’s strategy, From Manchester for the World, which aims to strengthen its international presence. The university also has international centres in Dubai, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore.
The University of Manchester has existing academic partnerships in India, including a dual-award PhD programme with IIT Kharagpur launched in 2021. It also collaborates with the Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru, BITS Pilani, the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research and Manipal Academy of Higher Education.
