PM visits India’s first biotechnology university
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has today (Thursday 21 April) visited Gujarat Biotechnology University (GBU) in India.
Established by the Department of Science and Technology of the Government of Gujarat, the University of Edinburgh signed an Agreement of Academic Cooperation with GBU in 2021 to deliver India’s first dedicated biotechnology university.
Warm welcome
Mr. Johnson was welcomed by the Chief Minister of the State, Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel.
The visit focused on the collaboration between the two countries in education, health, technology and significant investment in crucial industries across the U.K. and India.
The UK Prime Minister visited the high-end research facilities at GBU and interacted with research scholars, lab technicians and faculty preparing to welcome their first MSc intake in summer 2022.
GBU is a 'living lab' for higher education design in biotechnology. It is hoped that this model will see replication or inspired versions of this partnership across India and establish precedence for meaningful partnerships between the U.K. and India in higher education.
Unique partnership
The ten-year partnership aims to deliver a novel, high-level Master's curriculum across Animal, Environmental, Industrial, Medical and Plant Biotechnology – based on global best practices, focused on learning outcomes and problem-solving approaches.
GBU aims not just for academic impact but to change people’s lives with green biotech solutions for many of society’s grand challenges.
This includes cancer therapy and anti-microbial resistance, crop resilience in the face of climate change and the environmental challenges of pollution and recycling of valuable materials.
We were delighted to welcome Prime Minister Boris Johnson to Gujarat Biotechnology University. His visit highlights the significant opportunity for international collaboration in education, science, and technology across India and UK. With the University of Edinburgh’s expertise in training and research, combined with Gujarat entrepreneurial spirit and forward-looking government support, we will create an ecosystem that delivers prosperity for both India and the UK.
Edinburgh and India
The University values and cultivates connections and relationships throughout South Asia.
More than 729 students from India study with the University.
There are more than 1,800 alumni in India and more than 780 Indian alumni around the world.
In the past five years, almost 166 academic staff have visited India for fieldwork, research collaborations or international partnership.
Related links
Gujarat Biotechnology University