The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore and the University of Manchester have entered into a partnership to launch a joint PhD program. Following the India-UK agreement that covers the joint PhD program, delegations from the University of Manchester will visit India on a roadshow to strengthen partnerships and seek new opportunities around science, health and humanities. The team will explore how partnerships with Indian institutions can address some of these healthcare challenges.

According to IISc, the latest PhD program is its third joint doctoral programme launched with an international university and the first with a European partner. Professor Govindan Rangarajan, Director of IISc, expressed delight in the partnership to launch the joint program. "Given multiple areas of mutual interest to both institutions, we are confident that this will be a very productive partnership that further strengthens our ties," he said. The students will be awarded a joint degree from both institutions, based on a single research experience managed cooperatively by both institutions.

The University of Manchester has earlier launched dual programs with institutes like the Indian Institute of Technology (Kharagpur), the University of Toronto, the University of Melbourne, and the University of Chile. Professor Stephen Flint, associate VP- International, Manchester University, said, "The joint PhD programme with IISc is a testament to the university's strategic ambitions to build world-class research links with India and to encourage more student mobility between the two countries."

"Graduates from this programme will have the unique advantage of acquiring the best knowledge and skills offered by both these eminent institutions,” said Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, president and vice-chancellor, of the University of Manchester.