UCL Global Engagement

UCL has recently strengthened its partnerships in mainland China and Hong Kong through a delegation led by President & Provost Dr Michael Spence. The visit focused on advancing collaborations in AI-powered education, life sciences, and engineering, alongside signing a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tsinghua University. Highlights included engagements with leading institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Peking University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Fudan University, as well as alumni receptions and prospective student sessions in Beijing, Hong Kong, and Guangzhou. UCL’s leadership in research, innovation, and global education was further showcased at the Times Higher Education Global AI Forum in Hong Kong. #UCLandChina For more details, read the full article: https://lnkd.in/ejNs-vdV Geraint Rees, Ibrahim Abubakar, Gail Taylor, Qasim Rafiq, Guanjie He, Ciaran Moynihan, Tania Trosini, Sophie Vinter, UCL Faculty of Population Health Sciences, UCL Faculty of Life Sciences, UCL Engineering, UCL Research, UCL Innovation & Enterprise, UCL News

🌟 UCL Student Spotlight Meet Prantar Tamuli (The Bartlett, UCL's Faculty of the Built Environment and UCL Engineering), a PhD candidate from Assam, India, combining architecture and biochemical engineering to create sustainable, living biomaterials. 📖 Read his story: https://lnkd.in/eAsgScwJ #UCLandIndia

Last month, UCL's Research Capacity Strengthening (RCS) Fellows visited the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and the University of Cape Town (UCT) in South Africa, focusing on professional services in research management. Key learnings from the visit: ✨ Knowledge sharing: Fellows and South African colleagues explored practices in grant management, research governance, and professional development, exchanging ideas to strengthen research ecosystems. 💡 Building partnerships: The visit fostered deeper institutional ties, creating opportunities for ongoing collaboration between UCL, Wits, and UCT. 🌟 Mutual learning: Both teams shared innovative approaches to tackling common challenges in research support, highlighting the value of diverse perspectives. The fellowship, supported by UCL's Research England ISPF Institutional Grant, underscores the importance of global collaboration in enhancing research management practices. Learn more about the RCS Fellowship Programme here: https://lnkd.in/emCWN8aU Read about past fellow Sam Julier’s journey in South Africa: https://lnkd.in/ehm8kMfV Thank you to Wits and UCT for their warm welcome and our fellows' dedication to this impactful exchange. Special thanks to our colleagues: Geraint Rees, Helen Hopkins, Funanani Nemaheni, Mustafa Sakr, Sophie Vinter, Jacqueline Sylvester, Rob Huddy, Caryn McNamara, SRMP, Robin Drennan, Nelson Mandela University, Palesa Natasha Mmankwe Mothapo, PhD, M.Elizabeth Maqhubu, Lynn Morris, Wits Health Consortium, sagie Pillay, Wits Faculty of Health Sciences, Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience (SBIMB), Jocelyne Gayenga, Natalie Smyth, Eleni Flack-Davison, Jennifer Palmer, Tanya Coetzee, Imraan Valodia, Bernhard Zipfel, Tandi Scott-Turner, Catherine Hill, Taariq GH Surtee, Yolanda Davids, Mahomed Moolla, Alison Simons, Lynda Murray, Adam Pantanowitz, Letlotlo Phohole

Exploring AI’s future in education and workplaces At the recent SI-UK India Education Fair, Professor Geraint Rees, UCL Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation & Global Engagement), joined Ashok Panda, VP of Global AI and Automation Services at Infosys, for a panel discussion on the evolving role of AI in universities and workplaces. The conversation touched on AI’s impact on education, its role in driving research, and the skills industries value most in graduates. This event provided an opportunity to share insights, explore common goals, and highlight UCL’s commitment to meaningful partnerships that address global challenges. By aligning expertise and fostering collaboration, we aim to contribute to sustainable AI solutions and nurture future talent. We look forward to continuing the conversation with Infosys and other key partners as we explore new ways to bring innovation to the forefront. Kirsty Walker, Professor John Hurst (UCL Faculty of Medical Sciences), Eloise Scotford (UCL Faculty of Laws), Dr Isra Black (UCL Faculty of Laws), Nick Marsden, Sophie Vinter (UCL Global Engagement), Arvind Vepa

UCL enjoyed a successful delegation visit to India this month. 🇮🇳 Highlights include launching pioneering new collaborations with leading institutions, as well as connecting with students, alumni, philanthropists and partners across the country. The delegation, led by UCL President & Provost Dr Michael Spence, visited Bengaluru and Delhi for a host of events and activities, followed by an additional alumni reception in Mumbai. Dr Michael Spence, UCL President & Provost said: “It was fantastic to be back in India this month and is an exciting time for UCL engagement in and with India. India is an old country thirsty for innovation and the future and, as UCL approaches its 200th anniversary, we share exactly the same focus. There is so much potential for what we can achieve together.” Read more highlights from the trip: https://lnkd.in/e3HutCaN #UCLandIndia UCL Global Engagement

Our visit to India has been productive. UCL and India are working to co-create innovative solutions to tackle global challenges, fostering meaningful partnerships that will pave the way for impactful research and innovation. As we conclude this fruitful journey, do not miss an insightful op-ed by UCL President & Provost, Dr Michael Spence, in The Economic Times. Dr Spence highlights the immense potential of Indo-UK collaboration, emphasising how partnerships between Indian and UK academia can advance research agendas while contributing to a more equitable and sustainable future. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ecHU6VHu #UCLandIndia Geraint Rees, Kirsty Walker, Ibrahim Abubakar, UCL Faculty of Population Health Sciences, Professor John Hurst, UCL Faculty of Medical Sciences, Isra Black, UCL Faculty of Laws, Professor Monica Lakhanpaul, UCL Faculty of Population Health Sciences, Catherine Holloway, Global Disability Innovation Hub, UCL Faculty of Laws, Michael Collins, UCL Innovation & Enterprise, UCL Research, UCL News, UCL Alumni Relations

Great to meet Alison Barrett MBE, Country Director, British Council India, during our Delhi visit and discuss research, innovation, mobility, and transnational education.

UCL has launched a ground-breaking collaboration with All India Institute of Medical Sciences and Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi to co-create pioneering solutions in the field of medical technology. For the first time, the three institutions will join forces to draw on their complementary areas of expertise to develop new technologies that help tackle some of today’s biggest health challenges. The partnership, which will seek to leverage industry connections across all three institutions, will pave the way for devising multidisciplinary technology and innovation focused solutions across healthcare. https://lnkd.in/gzwnvZQH #UCLandIndia

UCL and RISE Research Institutes of Sweden launch Centre for NeuroArchitecture & NeuroDesign In a world facing complex societal challenges, UCL and RISE Research Institutes of Sweden are joining forces to create an inclusive platform for ground-breaking research in NeuroArchitecture and NeuroDesign - combining brain science and innovative technology with architecture and design to reshape the environments in which we live. Yesterday, at The Swedish Residence in London, we proudly launched the world’s first International Centre for NeuroArchitecture & NeuroDesign. This initiative combines neuroscience and cutting-edge technology with architecture and design to redefine the spaces in which we live and work. The aim is to create environments that enhance well-being, foster resilience and align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals for holistic human, economic and environmental sustainability. Read more about this news here: https://lnkd.in/gRV8fVEf UCL News, UCL Innovation & Enterprise, The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL, UCL Grand Challenges, UCL PEARL, Geraint Rees, Carina Carlman, Hugo Spiers, Marco Lucisano, Fiona Zisch, Isabelle Sjövall, Stefan Gullgren, Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK, OSI London - Office of Science and Innovation, Jacqui Glass

UCL is heading to India! Led by President & Provost Dr Michael Spence, Vice-Provost Professor Geraint Rees, and Vice-President Kirsty Walker, our delegation will visit key locations in India to connect with partners, prospective students, and alumni. This visit is a valuable opportunity to deepen our ties and explore new collaborations that benefit both UCL and India. Other members of the delegation include: Professor Ibrahim Abubakar, Pro-Provost (Health) for UCL, Dean, Faculty of UCL Faculty of Population Health Sciences Professor Eloise Scotford, Dean, UCL Faculty of Laws Professor John Hurst, Vice-Dean (International), UCL Faculty of Medical Sciences Dr Isra Black, Vice-Dean (International), UCL Faculty of Laws  Professor Monica Lakhanpaul, Global Strategic Academic Advisor for India and UCL Faculty of Population Health Sciences Professor Catherine Holloway, Professor of Interaction Design & Innovation, Academic Director of Global Disability Innovation Hub During the visit, the delegation will meet with institutions such as the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), and AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi). We’re looking forward to strengthening our partnerships, building new connections with key stakeholders and philanthropists, and engaging with prospective students and our alumni network across the country. UCL’s relationship with India runs deep. We’ve collaborated on healthcare, engineering, space sciences, disaster planning, and AI projects. This visit builds on our 2023 trips, during which we reinforced our commitment to India by announcing 100 new Master’s scholarships and launching UCL’s first Summer School in Delhi, led by Dr Michael Collins (UCL History). Check out our historical connections: https://bit.ly/3sFGiky Excited to share updates from the visit soon! #UCLandIndia