The University of Bristol has unveiled a series of landmark partnerships at a celebration of its new Mumbai Enterprise Campus, including a global strategic partnership with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and a £1.5million philanthropic gift from the Shanta Foundation that will strengthen research and student mobility between India and the UK.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TCS, one of the world’s largest IT services and consulting firms, will explore ways to advance artificial intelligence (AI) research, enhance industry-aligned learning, and create meaningful opportunities and career pathways for students. This is one of TCS’ key global strategic partnerships with a university.
Bristol will also be partnering with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, ICICI Bank, Supervity AI, the British Council and the Shanta Foundation in support of its vision to create a campus where world‑leading research, outstanding education, and meaningful industry collaborations come together.
Advancing AI and industry collaboration
The partnership with TCS is particularly significant in the AI domain. TCS has articulated its ambition to become the world’s largest AI-led technology services company, and Bristol is home to world-leading AI research and education. The university was named as AI University of the Year 2024 and is and home to Isambard-AI, the world’s fastest university supercomputer.
Headquartered in Mumbai, TCS has a strong presence in both the UK and India and will explore offering students industry-aligned placements, the opportunity to work on live projects and exposure to real-world challenges. The collaboration will focus on improving employability outcomes for students and making them industry-ready.
The MoU will also commit both institutions to explore public sector initiatives, community engagement programmes, and talent mobility initiatives such as internships and exchange programmes, alumni engagement to jointly leveraging global networks.
Venguswamy Ramaswamy, Global Head of TCS Education and TCS iON, said: “This partnership with the University of Bristol represents a powerful convergence of two organisations committed to shaping the future of AI‑driven innovation. As TCS accelerates its vision of becoming the world’s leading AI‑led technology services company, collaborating with an institution globally recognised for its excellence in AI research and advanced learning creates immense potential.
“Together, we will create pathways that blend cutting‑edge research with real‑world industry application, strengthen talent readiness, and expand mobility and community initiatives across India and the UK, an important step toward cultivating the next generation of global technology leaders.”
Professor Evelyn Welch, Vice‑Chancellor and President of the University of Bristol, said: “Our Mumbai Enterprise Campus will be a place where world‑leading research, outstanding education, and meaningful industry collaboration come together at the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic cities.
“Our new alliances with leading industry partners such as Tata Consultancy Services, and philanthropic support from the Shanta Foundation, will create unparalleled opportunities for students, researchers, and communities in both Mumbai and Bristol.”
A strategic location in the heart of Mumbai
The Mumbai Enterprise Campus marks the University of Bristol’s first international campus and represents a significant milestone in its 150th anniversary year.
Scheduled to open in August 2026, the campus will be located at the Cignus Powai development near Powai Lake, within one of the city’s innovation and technology hubs. Situated opposite IIT Bombay, the campus will benefit from the strategic partnership, closely aligned with India’s National Education Policy (NEP) and focusing on translational research and innovative teaching.
In its first year, up to 250 students are expected to enroll across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in data science, economics, finance and immersive arts, with student numbers projected to exceed 2,500 by year five.
£1.5million gift to deepen India-UK links
In addition to the MoUs, a £1.5million donation from the Shanta Foundation to the University of Bristol will support research collaborations and partnerships, as well as create opportunities for Mumbai-based students to spend time in Bristol and vice-versa.
The Shanta Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Waymade Capital and co-founded by Bristol alumnus Bhikhu Patel, provides health, shelter and education through both self-funded and jointly-funded projects in Kenya, India and the UK.
The gift will also facilitate the creation of the Shanta Chair, to be held by an academic leader who will act as a bridge between India and the UK, with a focus on key challenges such as climate, health and AI.
Bhikhu Patel (BA Hons Architecture 1973) said: “As a proud graduate, I know how transformational a Bristol degree can be – in teaching skills and knowledge, creating friends and connections for life, and preparing for an impactful and fulfilling professional life. As well as helping to develop important research connections between India and Bristol, this gift from the Shanta Foundation will benefit students, both in India and in the UK – through scholarships and travel, creating exciting opportunities and developing further connections between our two countries.”
To enhance students’ learning journeys, the University of Bristol has developed a visiting fellowship programme, called the Isambard Global Visiting Professorship Scheme, which will play a crucial part in shaping research culture, creating new collaborations with global institutions, delivering public lectures and providing mentoring.
The first person to be appointed to this prestigious position is Kushe Bahl, a lead partner at global management consulting firm McKinsey, where he leads the company’s AI, digital and analytics work in India. His expertise has seen him support leading companies across sectors accelerate their digital journeys and his insight will support students in becoming sector leaders.
A further partnership has been confirmed with the British Council’s Climate Skills Programme. The programme will work with 80 young people across Bristol, Mumbai, and Thane to equip them with green skills through training, mentorship and grants.
Alison Barrett MBE, Country Director India at the British Council, said: “The British Council’s Climate Skills programme reflects a shared commitment to preparing young people for the challenges and opportunities of the future. We are delighted to forge a new meaningful partnership between University of Mumbai and Bristol University, through the Climate Skills Global Collaboration Grants. The partners will mentor talented young people in the UK and India to develop green skills, strengthen climate resilience and employability. Such meaningful education partnerships strengthen institutional capacity and create sustained, two-way growth aligned to National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and Vision 2035.”
For detailed information on admissions and programme offerings, please visit the University’s Mumbai Enterprise Campus website.
