The University will host this special week in March 2022 to celebrate the growing Southampton-India ties. This is in collaboration with Southampton City Council, Southampton City of Culture 2025, India Business Group, and supporting partners.
As the first of its kind, this landmark week full of diverse range of events will bring together Southampton’s global community of students, staff, alumni, partners, industry stakeholders and local community to celebrate three momentous occasions: 75 years anniversary of Indian independence, 70 years anniversary of the University’s royal charter status and 3 years anniversary of the University India Centre.
Led by the University India Centre, the landmark week will host an assortment of bespoke in-person and hybrid programme of events and activities aimed at showcasing, promoting and strengthening relations between Southampton and India.
The week will feature a wider portfolio of our high impact research, education and enterprise activities, promote cross-cultural understandings and awareness of Indian arts, culture, films, music and food. The main event activities will be open to members of the public and guests attending from India, including Bollywood celebrities, sports personalities, industrialists and renowned thought leaders.
The programme highlights will include showcasing the University’s collaborative work with Indian state governments, higher education institutions and NGOs on a range of ongoing research projects, including impact evaluation of environmental sustainability programmes, capacity strengthening activities, the Kaifi Azmi Global UK-India Virtual Internship and Global Leadership Programmes.
Professor Mark E. Smith CBE, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton said: “I am delighted that the University of Southampton is hosting a special week in March 2022 to celebrate three grand occasions in collaboration with our supporting partners from UK and India. The University has cherished a long-standing relationship with India, and through our high impact research, education and enterprise activities across the institution, we are shaping the next chapter of our transformative engagement in and with India.”
Councillor Daniel Fitzhenry, Leader of Southampton City Council added, “We are proud to be supporting the University of Southampton in delivering this week of India celebrations. The council has already made a commitment to build upon and deepen our relationship with India, recognising our important current and historic links. The opportunities to explore closer ties and working across so many areas, including culture, business, sport and education are truly exciting. We look forward to working with the university and a wider range of our UK City of Culture 2025 bid partners to ensure that this week is a huge success.”
Shelina Permalloo, Chair of Southampton 2025 Trust said ”Southampton 2025 are delighted to be supporting this week long celebration of events delivered by our partners University of Southampton and India Business Group. Events such as these help to put Southampton on the map not just locally, but internationally.”
For a full schedule of the week’s activities please visit the India Centre Website.
Please access the full media release for more information.
