University of Liverpool soon in Bengaluru; to spearhead industry-academia interface

Bengaluru: The University of Liverpool has forged a strategic partnership with Bengaluru-based IT firm Wipro for mutual collaboration.

This was announced at a high-profile event attended by Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister of Karnataka, M. B. Patil, Minister for Large and Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development, Dr. M. C. Sudhakar, Minister for Higher Education and Dinesh Gundu Rao, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, in the city recently.

The University of Liverpool, part of the UK’s prestigious Russell Group, also announced its intent to open Bengaluru’s first foreign university campus by 2026.

The university officials, along with senior dignitaries from the Government of Karnataka, came together in Bengaluru to mark the occasion and celebrate a new chapter in UK-India higher education collaboration.

The new Bengaluru campus will be grounded in the university’s research-intensive culture and internationally recognised academic standards.

It will also serve as a catalyst for deepening partnerships with Karnataka’s dynamic innovation ecosystem, connecting students and researchers to emerging industry needs in both India and the UK.

The initial set of programmes will include Business Management, Accounting and Finance, Computer Science, Biomedical Sciences, and Game Design offered for the first time by a UK university campus in India.

A broader portfolio of disciplines is expected to be added in subsequent phases.

Welcoming the university’s entry into Karnataka, Siddaramaiah said, “Karnataka has always been at the forefront of education and innovation. The University of Liverpool’s decision to set up its first foreign campus in Bengaluru reinforces our status as a global knowledge destination. We welcome them wholeheartedly and are committed to extending all support to make this venture a grand success.”

Minister M. B. Patil stated, “The University of Liverpool choosing Karnataka for its first overseas campus reflects our state’s growing global stature as a hub for both industry and intellect. This collaboration will drive deeper ties between academia and sectors such as electronics, aerospace, and biotechnology — through joint research, internships, and curriculum design. It will also benefit MSMEs and startups by opening access to world-class mentorship and innovation platforms. I invite the university to explore KWIN City, our upcoming innovation hub, as a base for such partnerships.”

Chandru Iyer, British Deputy High Commissioner in Bengaluru, said: “The UK and India have made a commitment to refresh and deepen our partnership to deliver even more for both countries. Our expanded partnership will deliver iconic, forward-looking collaborations in diverse areas such as AI and semiconductors, higher education campuses, and green energy initiatives. This announcement is both evidence and a celebration of the UK-India partnership.”

He added: “The Technology Security Initiative, announced in July 2024, will deliver crucial collaboration on telecoms innovation and unlock investment across emerging technologies. Furthermore, the UK-India Free Trade Agreement announced recently delivers on the UK government’s core mission of growing the economy, raising living standards, and putting money in people’s pockets.”

Professor Tim Jones, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool, said, “We are proud to take this significant step in our long-standing relationship with India by opening a world-class campus in Bengaluru. The state of Karnataka’s reputation as a knowledge and technology powerhouse makes it an ideal home for the University’s first global campus. We are committed to delivering transformative education and research in partnership with local communities, institutions and industries.”

The university already enjoys robust collaborations in Karnataka, including a 20-year research partnership with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), which has helped inform World Health Organization vaccine policies, saving over 200,000 lives.

The university already has ongoing engagements with institutions such as the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, and corporate partners like Hindustan Unilever.

Alongside the campus launch, the university’s leadership is exploring broader partnerships with Indian enterprises and global organisations to fuel innovation, entrepreneurship and upskilling.

These efforts are expected to create impactful opportunities for both domestic and international students.