Written by: Rajendra Tripathi, Head of Higher Education Programmes
For nearly two decades, the UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI) has played a pivotal role in strengthening educational ties between the UK and India. Since commencing in 2006, the programme has grown into one of the most enduring and impactful bilateral education partnerships globally, facilitating over 25,000 academic exchanges spanning 4,500 education institutions. From its early beginnings as a government-to-government initiative, UKIERI has evolved through four successful phases, supporting over 1,000 institutional collaborations and becoming a platform for meaningful engagement on global challenges through education and research.
From Bilateral Agreement to Global Relevance
UKIERI has transformed into a respected model for international academic cooperation. Now concluding its fourth phase, the programme continues to focus on high-quality, cross-disciplinary research partnerships in areas ranging from climate change and artificial intelligence to sustainability and energy transition.
These collaborations have delivered practical innovations with broad impact. The CHARM project between the Indian Institute of Science Bangalore and Edge Hill University developed AI-powered driver monitoring and collision avoidance systems to reduce accidents on India’s roads. At the same time, the COSTARMSW project linking IIT Delhi and Brunel University London created a solar-powered digester to transform municipal solid waste into clean energy, offering an environmentally friendly solution for rapidly urbanising cities. Another UKIERI partnership between IIT Bombay and the University of Cambridge produced handheld technology to monitor ultra-fine air particles, contributing to healthier environments and advancing global knowledge on pollution control Toxicity of ultra fine particles.
What has made UKIERI uniquely effective is its tripartite approach – investing simultaneously in systems, institutions, and individuals. This framework has enabled deep engagement at all levels, from ministries and policymakers to universities and researchers across both countries.
Strategic Focus in Phase Four
In the most recent phase, our aim was clear: to catalyse research collaboration aligned with global challenges while nurturing a talent pipeline that meets national and sectoral priorities. We delivered Phase Four through three interlinked strands:
- Institutional Research and Mobility Partnerships – Facilitating co-designed, multidisciplinary research projects between UK and Indian institutions.
- Leadership Development for Women in STEM – Equipping women leaders in science and related fields with tools, training, and mentoring to enhance their leadership potential.
- Support for Early-Career Researchers – Enabling emerging scholars to access funding and global networks, laying the foundation for long-term academic careers.
One of the standout features of this phase has been our targeted investment in women’s leadership in research. By training nearly 200 women and positioning 12 of them as master trainers within their institutions, we created a ripple effect that extended far beyond the initial cohort.
We also supported 33 new research partnerships, addressing timely issues such as green mobility, hybrid aviation, and carbon capture. Many of our programme alumni now hold senior leadership roles across academia and government institutions, including the Secretary of the University Grants Commission and the Director of the National Accreditation and Assessment Council in India.
Policy Alignment and Government Engagement
UKIERI’s strength lies in its responsiveness to the strategic priorities of both the UK and Indian governments. Areas of focus areas have often been shaped at the highest levels—cyber-physical systems and waste management, for example, were chosen in consultation with both Prime Ministers during Phase Three. The British Council’s role has been instrumental in aligning academic collaboration with national priorities and facilitating complex coordination across ministries and partners.
Our engagement has spanned Indian ministries including Education, Skill Development, and Science and Technology, and UK entities such as the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and various research councils. This multi-stakeholder approach has ensured that UKIERI’s outcomes are not only academically rigorous but also policy relevant.
Looking Ahead to Phase Five
As we look to the future, UKIERI remains committed to fostering collaboration that is both globally relevant and locally impactful. We are exploring new thematic areas such as climate resilience, food systems, energy security, and digital transformation—issues that are central to sustainable development and innovation that remain relevant beyond borders.
There will also be a continued focus on gender equity. Building on our current women-in-research programmes and the learnings from GATI (Gender Advancement through Transforming Institutions) initiative, we plan to promote more leadership and visibility opportunities for women in science and academia.
Although UKIERI is fundamentally a government-to-government programme, the British Council has played a central role in its delivery on behalf of the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Working in close collaboration with the Government of India, we have been recognised for our convening power, our ability to connect diverse stakeholders, and our deep knowledge of operating conditions in India. This credibility has become integral to UKIERI’s identity, particularly within India, and continues to shape the trust placed in us as a delivery partner.
As global education and research landscapes evolve, UKIERI stands as a proven model of sustained, values-driven cooperation. Its success is grounded in shared goals, mutual respect, and a long-term vision - principles that will guide the next phase as we expand into new thematic areas and continue advancing collaboration that is globally relevant and locally impactful.