)
Scottish Development International, the international arm of Scottish Enterprise - Scotland's investment and trade promotion agency - announced on Wednesday two strategic tie-ups between Scottish and Indian Universities.
Agreements were signed between the University of Dundee and Bangalore Bio-Cluster; Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) and Annamalai University & Academy of Maritime Education and Training (AMET) University, for research in life sciences and marine biotechnology, respectively.
AMET University is India's first university for maritime-related education, training and research. It has agreements with 44 organisations all over the world for teaching, research, industry collaboration, consultancy, training, placement, and exchange programmes.
University of Dundee signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bangalore Bio-Cluster to create a joint drug discovery centre to tackle anti-microbial 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 ever-increasing range of infections caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses and fungi, hospital-acquired infections and in major diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria.
Professor Mike Ferguson, Regius Professor of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee, said: "Bio-Cluster is a powerhouse of life sciences research and we look forward to applying our combined expertise to one of the most important medical dilemmas - antimicrobial resistance."
During their recent visit to India, SAMS exchanged memoranda of understanding with Annamalai University and AMET University to cooperate more closely in education and research.
SAMS, a partner of the University of the Highlands and Islands and of the United Nations University, has partnered with the aim to develop faculty, student and knowledge exchange programmes, co-supervised PhDs, and joint research projects. The its collaboration with Annamalai University, SAMS will focus on developing knowledge and skills for sustainable management of the coastal environment, which will include topics such as aquaculture. With AMET University, the focus of collaboration will lie in marine biotechnology and microbiology.
Joanne Allday, marketing manager (education), SAMS, said: "It's such an exciting time in India right now and our late professor, Laurence Mee, saw huge potential for closer scientific and educational relationships between the two countries. The MoUs between SAMS and Annamalai and AMET Universities have now been formally exchanged and are a great legacy to Laurence's foresight. 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."
SAMS is Scotland's largest and oldest independent marine science organisation, dedicated to delivering marine science for a healthy and sustainable marine environment through research, education and engagement with society.
Rooma Kumar Bussi, country manager, Scottish Development International, said: "India and Scotland share a unique focus on education, research and innovation to build solutions that impact human lives. It is, therefore, only natural that we come together on collaborative projects such as the ones above that address India's critical needs in health, life sciences and biotechnology."
Scottish Development International is a joint venture between the Scottish government and its economic development agencies - Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Scottish Development International helps overseas businesses tap into Scotland's key strengths in knowledge, high-level skills, technology and innovation.
Bangalore Bio-Cluster is an innovative institutional model for cutting-edge scientific research, where existing centres of excellence are used for the development of new centres with challenging new mandates. It comprises three major institutes - National Centre for Biological Sciences; Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine; and Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms. The Bio-Cluster is jointly supported by the departments of biotechnology and atomic energy.
CAMPUS BEAT
-
Agreements have been signed between University of Dundee and Bangalore BioCluster, and between Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) and Annamalai University & Academy of Maritime Education and Training (AMET University). These are for research in Life Sciences and Marine Biotechnology, respectively
-
AMET University is India's first Marine University for maritime-related education, training and research.
-
AMET University has memoranda of understanding with 44 organisations (31 with international bodies) all over the world for teaching, research, industry collaboration, consultancy, training, placement student-staff exchange programmes
-
SAMS, a partner of the University of the Highlands and Islands and of the United Nations University, has partnered with the aim to develop faculty, student and knowledge exchange programmes, co-supervised PhDs, and joint research projects
