Forging a new bond in research, the University of Wolverhampton in the United Kingdom has recently opened a new centre on the campus of Bangalore City University. Born from a two-and-a-half-year vision shaped by professors of the universities, the Wolverhampton-Bengaluru Centre for Research and Innovation (WBC) is a testament to what happens when academic ambition meets a commitment to real-world change, say those behind the initiative.
In an exclusive conversation, Professor Ebrahim Adia, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer of the University of Wolverhampton, sheds light on the origins of the centre, its strategic vision and the opportunities it aims to create for students, faculty and global research.
Tell us about the origin of the centre. How did it all come together?
The idea has been in development for over two and a half years. It began with two of our professors – Prof. Suresh Renukappa and Prof. Subhasini Suresh, who are originally from Bengaluru. When we explored the possibility of a presence in India, we naturally turned to them. They connected with Prof. Lingaraja Gandhi from Bangalore City University, who had recently completed a leadership programme in the UK. As it happened, I became Vice-Chancellor about 18 months ago, just as the idea was solidifying. I invited Prof. Gandhi, government officials, and academic leaders to Wolverhampton, and the partnership began to take shape. Today, we’ve launched the centre, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together.
Why is this centre important for the University of Wolverhampton?
It aligns with our vision to internationalise meaningfully. We already have operations in 14 countries, with 8,000 students studying Wolverhampton degrees worldwide. India, given its academic ecosystem and cultural ties, was a natural next step. The leadership at Wolverhampton is unique; our Chancellor, Lord Swaraj Paul, is of Indian origin, as are many members of my team, including myself. These shared values and personal connections give this partnership both strategic and emotional significance.
What are the centre’s main areas of research collaboration?
We have based the centre on three core pillars: green innovation, future healthcare, and inclusive communities. In green innovation, we help businesses become more efficient, not just environmentally but economically. For future healthcare, we focus on tech solutions like remote patient monitoring. In inclusive communities, we research how to empower marginalised groups – by gender, race, economic status, or geography. These areas are urgent globally, and by combining our expertise with that of Bangalore City University, we can find innovative, culturally responsive solutions.
How did the values and missions of the two universities influence this collaboration?
These pillars reflect our broader research strategy, which we formalised about six months ago. What’s exciting is how naturally these themes aligned with the strengths and vision of Bangalore City University. Both institutions have a legacy of offering opportunities to underrepresented communities, such as children whose parents had no or little educational background. In Wolverhampton, 71% of our students are the first in their families to attend university. The value of transforming lives through education is something we share with our Indian counterpart and it made the collaboration even more meaningful.
What specific opportunities will this centre open up for faculty and students, especially in India?
For faculty, it means access to joint research funding, international publication opportunities, and collaborations with leading experts across borders. For students, this translates into richer curricula, access to cutting-edge knowledge, and the possibility of internships and placements tied to global research projects. The long-term vision is to improve both our universities’ research rankings and academic impact.
Is this University of Wolverhampton’s first-of-its-kind international partnership, or do you have other similar collaborations globally?
Yes, this is our first international centre focused entirely on research, innovation, and commercialisation. We have transnational education partnerships elsewhere in Singapore, Hong Kong, and China, where our partners deliver Wolverhampton degree programmes. But this centre is different. It’s entirely for research. If it succeeds as we hope, it could become a model we replicate in other regions, such as Gujarat, which we are currently exploring.
Finally, why was Bengaluru chosen as the destination? Was it simply the people involved, or something more?
The personal connections helped, but Bangalore is an obvious choice even without that. It’s India’s Silicon Valley, a city thriving with innovation, strong academic institutions, and a spirit of progress. It aligns perfectly with what we aim to achieve. We’re incredibly grateful to Prof. Gandhi and Bangalore City University for embracing this partnership with such openness. We see this as just the beginning of something transformative.
Published – April 25, 2025 07:30 am IST