University of Leeds and Indian Institute of Technology Madras launch centre of excellence in sustainability

The University of Leeds has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras to launch the Joint Virtual Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Development.

The collaboration between the University of Leeds and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) will facilitate ideas, research and innovation to tackle sustainable development goals.

The partnership showcases how academic and research partnerships between the United Kingdom and India can address global challenges and create sustainable solutions.

The British Council and High Commission Officer of India attended the event, celebrating the start of a partnership that will enable a platform for sharing knowledge, creating international student placement opportunities, collaborating on research projects and developing joint academic activities, such as new courses and conferences.

The agreement will enhance knowledge and innovation in various critical fields, leading to the development of research and innovation towards global challenges.

The agreement will develop a self-sustaining network of high-quality staff, finding opportunities and encouraging impactful research and innovation to tackle Sustainable Development Goals.

British Deputy High Commissioner Oliver Ballhatchet MBE said: “The partnership showcases how academic and research partnerships between the United Kingdom and India can address global challenges and create sustainable solutions.”

Professor Vasilis Sarhosis, School of Civil Engineering, said: “The agreement will develop a self-sustaining network of high-quality staff, finding opportunities and encouraging impactful research and innovation to tackle Sustainable Development Goals.”

Further information

• Top picture caption: Left to right sitting – Janaka Pushpanathan (Director South India, British Council), Professor Vasilis Sarhosis (Chair in Resilient Structures and Infrastructure at the School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds), Dr Satyanarayanan Seshadri (The Energy Consortium, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and a faculty member, Department of Applied Mechanics, and Biomedical Engineering, IIT Madras), Mr Oliver Ballhatchet MBE (British Deputy High Commissioner to Chennai). Standing: Mr Andrew Ross Associate Professor in Energy and Resource Recovery, School Director of International, School of Chemical and Process Engineering University of Leeds, Dr Prabhu Rajagopal Professor, Advisor Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Deputy Head Centre for Non-Destructive Evaluation. Chair, Smart Manufacturing & Advanced Materials, IIT Madras.
• Embedded picture caption: Left to right – Row 1 Left to right Dr Andrew Ross, Associate Professor in Energy and Resource Recovery, School Director of International, School of Chemical and Process Engineering University of Leeds, Ms Janaka Pushpanathan (Director South India, British Council), Professor Vasilis Sarhosis (Chair in Resilient Structures and Infrastructure at the School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds), Dr Satyanarayanan Seshadri (The Energy Consortium, IIT Madras and a faculty member, Department of Applied Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering, IIT Madras) and Dr Prabhu Rajagopal, Professor, Advisor Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Deputy Head Centre for Non-Destructive Evaluation. Chair, Smart Manufacturing & Advanced Materials, IIT Madras. Row 2: Mr Oliver Ballhatchet MBE (British Deputy High Commissioner to Chennai).