Imperial College launches Global Science Hub in Bengaluru

The hub announced five key initiatives, aimed to drive cutting-edge Indo-UK collaboration in science and technology.

Vindi Banga, Chair of Imperial’s Council, Dr Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India and President Hugh Brady. / Imperial College

Imperial College London has launched its new science and technology hub, Imperial Global India, in Bengaluru, aiming to co-create world-leading research with Indian partners.

The hub will focus on solving global issues such as climate change, food and water security, and antimicrobial resistance.

Also read: UK, India sign cultural agreement to boost creative industries

Led by Earth scientist professor Sanjeev Gupta and biomaterials expert Elena Dieckmann, Imperial Global India will act as a liaison office, fostering deeper ties with Indian academia, industry, and policymakers. It is part of Imperial’s wider Science for Humanity strategy and joins a global network of hubs in Singapore, San Francisco, and Accra.

The hub’s flagship initiatives include the India Connect Fund, supporting 25 joint research projects annually in fields such as AI, quantum science, biotech, and clean energy. Imperial also launched its largest scholarship scheme for Indian students—the Future Leaders Scholarship—which will fund 75 STEMB students over five years.

Additional programmes include AI fellowships with Indian institutions and a collaborative PhD programme with the Indian Institute of Science, and a six high-impact Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Global Faculty Fellowships with the National Centre for Biological Sciences and Indian Institute of Science to develop a London-Bengaluru AI in Science Network.

The launch event at Science Gallery Bengaluru was attended by top Indian business leaders, scientists, and government officials, including Infosys founder N.R. Narayana Murthy and Biocon chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw. UK dignitaries like Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Science Minister Lord Vallance emphasized the importance of Indo-UK scientific cooperation.

“We can aim higher and go further when we work together. This is especially true for the UK and India, where deep links in areas like life sciences are bolstered by our deepening trade relationship, and our unique historical and cultural bonds,” Vallance said.

Imperial’s president, professor Hugh Brady, stated, “Through the hub we will support several flagship programmes including research projects, long-term collaborations, student scholarships, collaborative PhD programmes and fellowships in areas such as telecoms, critical minerals, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum, biotechnology and health-tech, and advanced materials.”

The event was hosted by professor Hugh Brady, president of Imperial, Vindi Banga, chair of Imperial’s Council, and Imperial Global India academic co-directors professor Sanjeev Gupta and Elena Dieckmann.

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