Located in a historic cathedral city with Roman origins, the University of York is a relatively young university in the UK with a focus on cutting-edge science and technology and has taken steps to develop collaborations with prestigious universities in India.

As a member of the Russell Group, an association of 24 prestigious public research universities, its founders established the University of York in 1963 as an institution serving the public good. “This legacy is reflected in the University’s commitment to providing higher education opportunities for diverse populations, a commitment that has only grown stronger over time,” said Charlie Jeffrey, its Vice-Chancellor and President.

Asked about the university’s academic strengths, Professor Jeffery identified several key areas in which the institution is considered a “world leader.” One such area is the Institute for Safe Autonomy, which focuses on robotics, autonomous systems and artificial intelligence. The institute’s work is not limited to technological advances, but also extends to ensuring the safety of these systems from a regulatory and ethical perspective. “We’re not just interested in the technology, we’re interested in the safety of these systems, both from a technological and regulatory perspective,” he noted.

Another standout area is industrial biotechnology, which Professor Jeffery described as central to regional economic development. “It’s about how to extract value from the things we grow and use them both to feed people and to replace fossil fuels as feedstocks for chemicals,” he explained. This field, along with quantum technologies – particularly quantum communications, which improves encryption security – and structural biology, puts the university at the forefront of scientific research

The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted the university’s innovativeness in the field of digital creativity, an area where traditional creative arts now meet cutting-edge computing and digital technology. “We have creative arts that are at the cutting edge of computing and the application of digital technologies,” he said, citing the university’s selection as a national laboratory for collaboration with the film industry as evidence of its leadership in the field.

Professor Jeffery spoke about the University’s collaborations with older and newer Indian institutions, recognising the strengths and challenges of traditional disciplines. He acknowledged that while they provide a solid foundation of knowledge, they can also be limiting. “Most undergraduate courses tend to have a strong disciplinary base, but beyond that, interdisciplinary approaches are increasingly prevalent,” he noted.

Professor Jeffery expressed keen interest in fostering sustainable partnerships with Indian institutions, regardless of their age or history. He highlighted his visits early last year to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in Delhi and Bombay, as well as to newer institutions such as OP Jindal University and Atlas SkillTech University. “There were real opportunities for research collaboration with the IITs and perhaps even more opportunities for collaboration in student training with the newer foundations,” he noted.

The Rector stressed the importance of partnerships that are both substantive and value-based. He shared his preference for developing a modest number of deep, long-term collaborations rather than accumulating numerous superficial agreements. “I am looking for a modest number of collaborations that can be truly developed and sustained over time,” he explained, emphasizing the university’s strategic approach to international partnerships.

Professor Jeffery also discussed innovative educational models that could improve collaboration between the University of York and Indian institutions. He suggested exploring flexible exchange programs, such as a “three plus one” model, where students could spend three years in York and one year in India. “We are less used to sending students from here to India, but I would like to see that happen much more often,” he noted, underlining the potential for mutual exchanges that benefit both institutions.

According to Rohit Ramesh Kumar, Director of International Recruitment, Partnerships and Mobility at the University of York, the institution is intensifying its commitment to Indian students.

Since 2018, York has seen a remarkable 62% increase in the number of international students enrolled. The number of Indian students has also increased significantly, now standing at around 550. “India is a key focus for us and the growth of our Indian student community reflects our strategic efforts and the excellent work of our team and partners,” explained Mr Kumar.

York’s strategy involves expanding its engagement in four key areas: education, research, enterprise and mobility. “We want to not only increase the number of Indian students, but also improve bilateral mobility by enabling students from York to study in India and vice versa,” he added.

“We want to provide an education that benefits students from all backgrounds,” Kumar said, adding, “This includes not only attracting students to our programs, but also ensuring that our partnerships and research meet global and local needs.”

Yash Patil, a student from India who completed his MSc in Audio and Music Technology at York University, where he was hosted by Fateh Education, a private consultancy founded by Suneet Singh Kochar that specialises in higher education in the UK and Ireland, has good words for the facility. “I wanted to do something new and interesting. I have always been fascinated by the technology used to develop tools that audio engineers like us use. I started looking at courses and the one at York was exactly what I was expecting,” said Mr Patil, who had worked as a sound engineer for six years before opting for the specialised academic course. “The course at York offers a stronger technology focus, which I think is crucial given current industry trends. The programme’s focus on audio technology and coding tools really attracted me, especially as I want to explore opportunities in the gaming and automotive industries that require such expertise,” he explained.

(The author visited the University of York in October 2023 at the invitation of the University and Fateh Education)