With India-UK ties entering a new phase under Vision 2035, the British Council brought together policymakers, academics, researchers and industry leaders in Kolkata to discuss ways to deepen collaboration between West Bengal and the UK in higher education, research, innovation and skills.
Discussions also examined how such collaborations could complement the priorities of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and West Bengal’s higher education ambitions. The engagement comes against the backdrop of the India-UK Vision 2035, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Programme of Cultural Cooperation (PoCC), which have created fresh avenues for bilateral collaboration in education and knowledge exchange. “Both India-UK Vision 2035 and the Free Trade Agreement have created fresh momentum for deeper cooperation between our countries. Dr Debanjan Chakrabarti, Director, East and Northeast India, British Council, highlighted Kolkata’s longstanding connection with the organisation, which has been present in the city since 1948. Rittika Chanda Parruck MBE, Director Education, British Council India, said NEP 2020 had opened up new pathways for internationalisation and transnational education. She added that Vision 2035 could help translate bilateral ambitions into opportunities for West Bengal’s institutions, students and researchers by connecting local priorities with UK expertise, networks and programmes.
Binod Kumar IAS, Additional Chief Secretary of Education, Government of West Bengal, said: “West Bengal has always been a meeting point for ideas, knowledge and global exchange, and our partnership with the UK gives us an opportunity to build on that legacy for the future. Dr Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner to East and Northeast India, said education remained a key pillar of the UK-India partnership. “Today, as the India-UK partnership grows, it presents us with a new opportunity for Bengal and Britain to leverage the deep educational, research and cultural connections we’ve nurtured for over 75 years,” he said. He added that the discussions looked at “refreshing this relationship through ambitious partnerships in higher education, research and innovation”, with Vision 2035 providing a framework for connecting West Bengal’s academic and research strengths with UK expertise.
The dialogue focused on opportunities around transnational education (TNE), International Branch Campuses, research partnerships, innovation, capacity building and student and academic mobility. Among those taking part were Dr Suman Chakraborty, Director, IIT Kharagpur; Prof Malabika Sarkar, Mentor and Officiating Vice-Chancellor, TCG CREST University; Dr Suranjan Das, Vice-Chancellor, Adamas University; Prof Ashutosh Ghosh, Vice-Chancellor, Calcutta University; and senior industry consultant Ambarish Dasgupta. The discussions sought to move beyond broad policy goals and identify practical opportunities and challenges for institutions. Participants exchanged ideas on building stronger university partnerships, developing international education models, expanding research and innovation networks, and creating new avenues for skills and capacity building. We see education not only as a means of developing talent, but as a foundation for innovation, research and economic growth. The Government of West Bengal is keen to deepen institutional partnerships with the UK and create new pathways for our universities, students and researchers to engage globally. We welcome the British Council’s role in bringing this ecosystem together and look forward to turning this shared ambition into lasting partnerships for Bengal. There is a real opportunity for West Bengal and the UK to build new connections between universities, researchers and innovators. Looking for trusted parenting advice? Follow TOI Parenting Circle on Instagram for expert guidance, relatable stories, and practical tips delivered every day. Get the latest Lifestyle News and more. Download the TOI app.
Today’s conversation is about turning that opportunity into partnerships that create lasting benefits on both sides,” he said.