University of Manchester plans new India centre for research and innovation

University of Manchester to establish a new centre in Bengaluru. This new campus will reinforce the long-standing ties with Indian industry and academics and expand student and research opportunities by tackling shared global challenges,

The announcement was made during the inaugural Great North Mayoral Mission to India, from October 12 to October 16, 2026. This mission brings together major universities, cultural institutions and civic leaders from the North of England who are interested in making lasting connections and sharing knowledge with Indian industry and academics.

University of Manchester has selected Bengaluru as its new location because it is one of the major cities in India for innovation, technology, and higher education. Numerous research institutes and international technology enterprises that work with university academics are already located in the city.

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Partner-enabled learning

The university intends to develop its Partner-Enabled Learning (PEL) model, giving students hands-on experience through micro-internships, work placements and employer-led projects embedded in degree programmes. The model emphasises close skills gaps through adaptability, problem solving and direct employer engagement.

The university already has connections with prominent  Indian companies such as Reliance, Tata and Infosys as well as a number of technology companies. The Bengaluru centre will use these industry connections  to expand academic and industry partnerships. The university has international centers in Dubai, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore.

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Stronger global presence

The proposal aligns with the university’s broader global strategy, From Manchester for the World, and its International Delivery Plan under Manchester 2035. The event announcing the centre took place at Science Gallery Bengaluru and was attended by Greater Manchester Mayor Bev Craig, alongside university leadership and alumni. 

Duncan Ivison, President and vice-chancellor of University of Manchester, said “There is an incredible depth to Manchester’s relationship with India across education, business and culture”.

He added that the new centre will be central to expanding these ties. “Our new Centre will be at the heart of deepening those relationships and I’m very excited to see what we can give, and what we can learn over the coming years,” Ivison said. The visit coincides with the university’s Challenge Accepted fundraising and volunteering campaign, which featured launch events in Delhi and Mumbai.

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Longstanding academic partnerships

The University of Manchester has established academic ties-ups across India in fields like advanced materials, engineering, digital technologies, health, sustainability and social sciences.

It became the first UK institution to offer a dual-award PhD programme with an Indian institution, partnering with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, in 2021. It also continues academic collaborations with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, BITS Pilani, Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research and Manipal Academy of Higher Education.