Industry Academia Collaborative Grant 2024-25 (UK and India)

Consortium to work on a larger theme of collaboration in areas like product/process innovation, course/module development, research, creation of knowledge, develop employable workforce, and an opportunity for learners to work on new technologies and challenging problems.

With the emergence of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR), rapid developments in science and technology have greatly affected everyday life. In the education sector, developments such as the Internet of Things (IoT) have influenced curricula and introduced educators to new teaching methods. In this context, 4IR is expected to actualize smart education environments that can improve the quality and accessibility of education.

The overarching aim of the Going Global Partnership Industry Academia Collaborative Grant is to catalyse industry academia partnerships that will allow academia and industry to work in sync, prepare work ready workforce, reduce on the job training cost, and make learners more employable.

Objectives 

• The objective of the Going Global Partnerships Industry Academia Collaborative Grant is to develop a joint programme under existing regulations including but not limited to the following:
  • Convergence between curricula and industry requirements. Creation of common frameworks of content, quality, delivery, and assessment at par with global industry standards.
  • Focus on fourth industrial revolution and its convergence with academia to impart lifelong learning and make learners workforce ready.
  • Research based on industry requirements.
  • Focus on specific thematic areas of common interest of partnering university(s) and industry or consortium of multiple UK and Indian Universities and industry.
  • Create feasible plans to showcase the possibilities of high-quality learning experience and skill acquisition through innovative industry academia collaborative models.
  • Learn from industry and students’ experiences and incorporate in teaching and learning for an enhanced outcome.
  • Share knowledge and understanding for collaboration through different innovative TNE (Transnational Education) models.

Funding Information

• Maximum amount of grant to be awarded is up to £30,000 for twelve months.

Outcomes 

• The grant aims to build stronger, more inclusive, industry connected higher education systems that support global development impacts.
• Goal: Industry academia collaboration for a more joined up approach leading to excellence in higher education, work ready workforce and quality research outputs for the benefit of the industry and the academia.
• The overall expected outcomes of the programme:
  • Developing a sustainable ecosystem by bridging the gap between industry academia. Industry-academia collaboration is vital for a sustainable ecosystem where both the industry and academia flourish. Creating research modules, developing industry focussed curriculum, opportunity to work on live projects, creating sustainable channels for knowledge transfer between industry and academia.
  • Knowledge development and growth: industry academia collaboration to optimise complementing competences, knowledge, and technologies to advance research and development. Develop joint teaching and research programmes endorsed both by industry and academia.
  • Develop a mutually beneficial partnership: Academia and industry partners develop a two-way learning environment and exchange of knowledge. Industry contributes by knowledge sharing to train and develop an industry ready workforce thereby reducing on the job training cost. Academia provides flexibility in teaching and learning thus, contributes by training learners as per industry standards and requirements.
  • Promote inter disciplinary learning: creating an enabling environment while supporting institutions and individuals to benefit from internationalisation. Increased scale and effectiveness of joint teaching programmes including virtual delivery and collaborative teaching, semester abroad, development of shared understanding of assessments and curriculum development that will allow more students with lesser economic means to experience international education.
  • Strengthening higher education systems: improving the quality and efficiency of institutions and systems. Contributions to wider reform processes through creating greater awareness of quality assurance, compliance, relevant tools, evaluative frameworks and access.
  • Enhancing student outcomes: improving the qualities of global graduates (e.g., soft skills, employability, community outcomes). Students, graduates, and academicians develop an international industry-oriented perspective through shared experience of international education and industry collaboration as a part of their course and their qualification.

Eligibility Criteria

• Each proposal must have both:
  • One Lead institution from India;
  • One Lead institution from the UK and
  • One Industry partner either from India or UK
  • The proposal must be prepared jointly by leads from all 3 partnering institutions but submitted by the Lead from the UK Institution,
• UK Lead institution must be one of the following:
  • Higher Education provider with degree awarding powers.
  • Not-for-profit research institutions, establishment and organisations.
  • Any public or private organisations with a role in the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET)/Further Education (FE) system.
• India lead institution must be one of the following:
  • All tertiary Higher Educational Institutions (public or private) that are recognised by the State government or Central government and its institutions like UGC (University Grants Commission) or AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) in India, can apply. All not for profit research institutions, organisations are also eligible.
• Industry must be one of the following:
  • For-profit/commercial organisations, including micro, small, medium and large enterprises.
  • Industry or enterprises should be compliant with the necessary local laws.
• The partnership can include in their proposals Associated Partners (from India and the UK) affiliated with:
  • Higher Education providers
  • Not-for-profit research institutions, establishment and organisations
  • TVET/FE providers
  • Other education organisations/charities/foundations/membership bodies
  • Not-for-profit organisations, including Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
  • For-profit/commercial organisations, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
  • Branch and satellite campuses of UK Higher Education providers
  • Government organisations
  • Employer organisations and industry bodies
  • Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Social Enterprise organisations.

For more information, visit British Council.