University of Leicester Vice-Chancellor joins Prime Minister’s trade delegation to India
The Prime Minister and his delegation prior to flying to India. Picture by Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street
University of Leicester Vice-Chancellor Professor Nishan Canagarajah joined a delegation of 125 of the UK’s most prominent CEOs, entrepreneurs, university and cultural leaders on a trade mission to India spearheaded by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The delegation, which spent two days in Mumbai, was the largest-ever government trade mission to India and follows the recent announcement of the landmark UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Forecasted to boost the UK GDP by £4.8 billion annually by 2040, the FTA underscores the growing importance of international collaboration.
Professor Canagarajah was one of 14 university representatives invited along in recognition of the explosion in demand for higher education in India – with 70 million places needed by 2035, which has created a huge opportunity for UK universities seeking new funding streams.
The University of Leicester strengthened its ties with the subcontinent in 2023 when it teamed up with one the world’s largest integrated healthcare service providers, The Apollo Hospitals Group.
The partnership led to the foundation of the Centre for Digital Health and Precision Medicine (CDHPM), which will leverage big data, clinical insights and expertise from both India and the UK to develop world-leading research findings and novel treatments using AI and data science.
Building on the University’s clinical medical research excellence, which was ranked joint 2nd in the UK according to Times Higher Education’s analysis of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, the centre aims to become an internationally recognised hub in precision medicine and digital health, with a key focus on three areas: cardiovascular diseases, acute and emergency medicine and multi-morbidity.
Today (Friday 10 October) sees the University announce a programme which will see doctors in training from India spend two years in UK NHS hospitals.
The 2+2 Post Graduate India-UK Residency Programme has been developed in partnership with Apollo Health Resources, in India, and the University, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and BAPIO Training Academy in the UK – read the full story on the website.
The Apollo-Leicester partnership has also seen the first cohort of students embark on a new computer science degree programme between the UK University and The Apollo University (TAU). The first 40-plus undergraduates will study for two years at TAU, in Chittoor, with the opportunity to progress to their final year and graduation in Leicester. Read the full story on the website.
Professor Canagarajah said: “Leicester’s place in the Government’s mission to strengthen trade and partnerships with India is underscored by this historic visit. We were among a select group of universities represented on the mission which highlights the value and impact of our partnerships in India.
“Our city and county has a deep and meaningful relationship with India and I am delighted that the University is able to augment this further. Our alliance with the Apollo Hospitals Group and the Apollo University is a model of partnership working that brings benefits not only to students but to communities in both countries. This is the start of an exciting new era in Anglo-India bilateral relations.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “We signed a major trade deal with India in July – the best secured by any country – but the story doesn’t stop there.
“It’s not just a piece of paper, it’s a launchpad for growth. With India set to be the third biggest economy in the world by 2028, and trade with them about to become quicker and cheaper, the opportunities waiting to be seized are unparalleled.
“That’s why I was flying the flag for British business alongside 125 of our biggest household names in Mumbai this week – because growth in India for them means more choice, opportunity and jobs at home for the British people.”
According to the 2021 Census data, Leicester has the largest Indian population of any city in the UK, with 126,421 residents (34.3%) identifying as Indian. These heritage and cultural connections underpin strong business and trade flows.
The University has become a popular destination for students from the subcontinent, with the first India student graduating almost half-a-century ago, in 1976. India graduates have gone on to successful careers in roles as diverse as data analysts, engineering managers, chief executive officers, professors and art curators.