University of Birmingham to work in India on Railways, Hydrogen Fuels, Data Science, AI

Indian scholars will soon start discovering new research avenues in the field of Hydrogen Fuels, Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence with scholars from Birmingham University. Not only this, the research on Indian Railways will also be part of this exercise.

The University of Birmingham Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adam Tickell signed a range of Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with the University's partners at special signing ceremonies in Bengaluru and Delhi. The agreements form a key part of the University's ongoing strategic vision to continue building meaningful education and research partnerships in India.

Professor Adam Tickell from Birmingham signed MoUs with:

• TESCO Business Services - Bengaluru

• K-RIDE - Bengaluru

• Hindustan Petroleum Company Ltd. (HPCL) - Bengaluru

• Manipal University - Bengaluru

• Aarvee Associates - Hyderabad

• Efftronics - Andhra Pradesh

• Vellore Institute of Technology - Andhra Pradesh

• Bennett University - Uttar Pradesh

• Indo British Scholars' Association - Kolkata

"The University of Birmingham's collaborative research output with India partners has almost doubled over the last five years. We currently have over 40 joint research projects of outstanding quality," commented Professor Adam Tickell.

"We are a global civic university with a long, illustrious relationship with India. Signing these exciting new agreements with partners in areas such as railways, sports science, education and community business gives us a great opportunity to further contribute to Indian society, as we continue to forge meaningful research and education partnerships in India," he added.

The University and TESCO Business Services are joining forces to create postgraduate study programmes in data science and artificial intelligence. The partnership will see University experts designing and delivering educational programmes for TESCO's staff - ranging from training in specific professional areas to formal postgraduate qualifications.

TESCO will also explore opportunities for suitably qualified Birmingham students to join placements at the company's data-science laboratories in India, as well as offering guest lectures to Birmingham staff and students.

University experts from the Birmingham Centre for Railways Research and Excellence (BCRRE) will work with K-RIDE - an urban rail transport joint venture of Govt. of Karnataka and Ministry of Railways - to launch studies into two major areas: Power consumption and energy analysis and railway network operational simulation, resilience testing and optimisation.

Working in partnership with Aarvee Associates, University experts will help to develop railway condition monitoring and sensing equipment within tunnels and on bridges. Partnering with Efftronics will see research and knowledge exchange projects developed in signalling projects, as well as training programmes and CPD courses.

Academics from Birmingham will work with experts at Hindustan Petroleum Company Ltd. - supporting the creation of a research Centre of Excellence and helping to develop innovative solutions to hydrogen production and storage, fuel cells, domestic hydrogen transportation and re-fuelling systems.

MoU with Manipal to work on AI

Professor Tickell signed agreements with Manipal University to create a dual Masters Programme in Artificial Intelligence & Data Science, as well as exploring new opportunities for student exchange between the two universities. Birmingham academics will also work with partners at Vellore Institute of Technology and Bennett University to develop new opportunities in law. They will also partner with the Indo British Scholars' Association to develop new education opportunities that will benefit both Indian and British students.

Alex Ellis, British High Commissioner to India, said, "I am delighted that the University of Birmingham is strengthening its presence in India across railways, sports science, education and community business. Together, British and Indian institutions can address shared global challenges through research, innovation and knowledge. The University has strong India partnerships. These new agreements will further benefit both our countries." The University of Birmingham has a number of significant partnerships in India, underpinned by its India Institute which aims to increase the visibility, impact and coherence of Birmingham's engagement in the country.