Visit by the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore

Over 100 years old, the IISc-B is one of India’s top research institutions, focusing on high quality research in the areas of Science and Engineering.

Professor Allen Moore, Head of the University of Exeter’s School of Biosciences, said: "The visit and discussions with IISc were extremely positive. We discussed a number of potential collaborations and look forward to working closely on joint research projects in the very near future.

“This visit shows the real value of face-to-face meetings and of careful consideration of appropriate research partners. All in all it was both an enjoyable and a stimulating visit for us and we look forward to visiting our new collaborators on their campus in Bangalore in January 2011."

Among potential areas of research collaboration, the issue of climate change and water was one of the key topics identified and a joint bid for research funding is now planned.

Dr Narayanan Ravishankar, part of the visiting delegation, said: “We were all really struck with the beauty of Exeter and the long history of the city.

“The hospitality extended to us was outstanding and we enjoyed the technical programmes immensely. The enthusiasm of the home team about the visit and possible collaborations was very infectious, and we are all confident that this visit will be a precursor for the start of very fruitful scientific collaborations”.

The visit follows on from a trip to India earlier this year by a delegation from the University of Exeter, led by the Vice-Chancellor Steve Smith, where they visited a number of higher education institutions with a view to exploring opportunities for partnerships.

This year the University has already hosted a visit by academics from the Indian Institute of Management – Bangalore and will host a visit by the Indian Institute of Technology – Delhi in the autumn. The University is investigating the establishment of a Representative Office in Bangalore to open in 2011.

In the photograph, are:

Left to Right
Front Row: Dr. Utpal Nath, Professor Desirazu Narasimha Rao, Dr. Kavita Isvaran, Professor Kamanio Chattopadhyay
Second Row: Dr. Narayanan Ravishankar, Professor Mark Goodwin, Professor Pradeep Mujumdar, Professor David Butler, Dr. Upendra Nongthomba
Back Row: Bryony Blinman, Robin Rhodes, Professor Rick Titball, Andy Richards