Imperial College London has officially announced a significant partnership with Science Gallery Bengaluru (SGB). This collaboration aims to foster open research facilities, enhance UK-India and broader global talent exchange through a unique joint fellowship, and actively promote public engagement in science and education. The exciting news was shared by Imperial President Hugh Brady during a high-profile UK delegation visit to India, led by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
President Brady emphasized that this alliance will be instrumental in nurturing the next generation of innovators and cultivating top-tier talent. The partnership’s ambitious agenda includes establishing innovative new facilities, launching a dedicated joint fellowship program, and rolling out a major public engagement initiative. These efforts are expected to further solidify research and innovation connections between Indian academia and industry, building on the momentum generated by Imperial’s recent establishment of its Indian hub.
Elaborating on the initiative, Brady highlighted a core commitment to amplify the international reach of SGB’s Public Lab Complex. This involves developing a diverse portfolio of programs, including groundbreaking innovation and discovery challenges, specialized science and technology fellowships, and dynamic public engagement activities. He described the partnership as a crucial “launchpad for UK-India innovation and scientific collaboration,” where Imperial’s renowned expertise in innovation and incubation will help create an unparalleled environment at Science Gallery Bengaluru. Here, cutting-edge solutions to pressing global issues will be conceptualized, designed, and brought to life.
Imperial College London’s involvement in the Prime Minister’s inaugural visit to India underscores its pivotal role in strengthening bilateral partnerships. This new venture, coming soon after the launch of the “Imperial Global India” hub in Bengaluru, represents a deep commitment to cross-continental collaboration. By joining forces, both institutions are dedicated to deepening research and innovation ties between the two nations, effectively building bridges that will inspire and empower future generations of scientists, thinkers, leaders, and changemakers.
The “Imperial Global India” hub, based in Bengaluru, is the fourth in Imperial’s expanding global network, joining established hubs in Singapore, San Francisco, and Accra. Operating as a liaison office, its primary focus is to reinforce existing research collaborations and co-create new partnerships with leading Indian institutions.
Jahnavi Phalkey, the Founding Director at Science Gallery Bengaluru, expressed immense enthusiasm for the partnership. She noted that co-developing SGB’s public lab complex with Imperial College London is a vital step toward creating shared spaces where curiosity, creativity, and learning can flourish across international boundaries. She added, “We are excited about what we can build together.” Science Gallery Bengaluru is a non-profit public institution dedicated to research-driven engagement for young adults, exploring the dynamic interplay between human, natural, and social sciences, alongside engineering, art, and design. Phalkey concluded by stressing their shared vision to drive “locally rooted and globally relevant innovation through community-engaged science” that encourages researchers to incorporate diverse perspectives into their work.