The University of Manchester has announced plans to open a permanent center in Bengaluru, India, designed to foster education, research, and industry partnerships. The initiative, revealed during the first Great North Mayoral Mission to India held from 12 to 16 October 2026, aims to integrate the university’s academic expertise with local institutions and businesses. Bengaluru was selected for its dense concentration of universities, research bodies, and technology firms, many of which already collaborate with Manchester academics and graduates.
A core component of the new center is the expansion of the university’s Partner-Enabled Learning (PEL) model, which embeds employer-led projects into degree programs. This approach will facilitate internships, work placements, and industry-led projects, connecting students with employers, public bodies, and community organizations. The existing PEL framework includes credit-bearing projects and micro-internships focused on developing problem-solving, adaptability, and collaboration skills. The center will leverage Manchester’s current relationships with major Indian corporations such as Reliance, Tata, and Infosys, as well as a broader network of technology companies, to deepen industry engagement.
The development also extends the university’s academic collaborations in India. In 2021, Manchester became the first UK university to launch a joint PhD program with an Indian institution, establishing a dual-award arrangement with the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur). Other existing partnerships include the Indian Institute of Science Bangalore, BITS Pilani, the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, and Manipal Academy of Higher Education. The Bengaluru center will serve as a permanent platform for further educational alliances, collaborative research, and innovation.
Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester, stated, “There is an incredible depth to Manchester’s relationship with India across education, business and culture. 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.” The announcement was made at an event at Science Gallery Bengaluru, attended by alumni and leaders from business and culture, and featured panel discussions on innovation and culture led by Professor Ivison.
This project is part of the university’s international strategy, From Manchester for the World, and its Manchester 2035 ambitions, which prioritize global engagement. Manchester currently operates international centers in Dubai, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Singapore; Bengaluru will extend this network, though no opening date has been announced.
