Scottish and Indian varsities partner for research and innovation

Mumbai, Oct 30: Scottish Development International said that Scottish and Indian Universities have signed strategic agreements for research in life sciences and marine biotechnology.

Agreements were signed between University of Dundee and Bangalore Bio Cluster and Scottish Association for Marine Science with Annamalai University and AMET University, respectively, for research in Life Sciences and Marine Biotechnology, a release of Scottish Development International said.

The University of Dundee has signed a MoU with Bangalore Bio Cluster to create a joint Drug Discovery Centre to tackle antimicrobial resistance. Currently, there is an active programme of scientific collaboration between the University of Dundee and Bangalore Bio Cluster.

The Drug Discovery Centre will focus on effective prevention and treatment of the increasing range of infections caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses and fungi, hospital-acquired infections and in major diseases like tuberculosis and malaria, it said.

"We are proud to be partnering with the Bangalore Bio Cluster in antimicrobial drug discovery. We look forward to applying our combined expertise to one of the most important of medical dilemmas antimicrobial resistance," Mike Ferguson, Regius Professor of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee, said.

Recently, the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) also has inked a MoU with Annamalai University and AMET University to cooperate more closely in education and research. With AMET University, the focus of collaboration will lie in marine biotechnology and microbiology.

"We have already begun the exchange of information and knowledge, and funding is now being sought to support faculty and student exchanges, to develop long-lasting relationships for the future," Joanne Allday, Marketing Manager, Education at SAMS, said.

Scottish Development International is a joint venture between Scottish Government and its economic development agencies, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

PTI