20 June 2011
Stronger ties between Dundee and Indian powerhouses
A University of Dundee academic taking part in a British Council Scotland mission to two of India’s powerhouse cities will help build new links with one of the world’s fastest growing economies.
A delegation from the British Council Education UK Scotland programme will today embark on a trade mission to Bangalore and Ahmedabad. This initiative is designed to raise awareness of Scottish education’s unique offering and build partnerships that could improve Scotland’s future business prospects.
Dr Carlo Morelli, Senior Lecturer in Economic Studies in Dundee's School of Business, is one of a number of academics from leading Scottish universities taking part in the delegation, which will showcase Scotland’s expertise in finance and business education to Indian counterparts.
Desired outcomes include more students flowing between Scotland and India, research collaborations and academic exchanges. And in the longer-term, these partnerships could act as a springboard for commercial links in high growth sectors, particularly financial services.
Dr Morelli said, 'We will be seeking to develop academic and research connections with Indian counterparts in Bangalore and Ahmedabad.'
'In particular, the trip will build on the collaborative aspects of my research on Dundee's and India's jute industry. Jute played an important part of Dundee's industrial history and Ahmedabad continues to be one of the India’s main textile producing areas.
'I will outline my research to academics and students during the visit and I hope to develop reciprocal exchanges with academic staff and students.'
India is now the world’s tenth largest economy and growth of 8.5% is predicted for 2011. Scottish exports to India currently total around £200million but the Scottish Government has ambitious plans to increase this.
India also has more than 100 million English speakers, the second largest number in the world after the USA. This legacy, together with other cultural ties, makes India a prime candidate for collaboration.
Julia Amour, Director of British Council Scotland, said, 'This week’s mission to India is part of our activity to promote Scotland and its unique educational offering in the world’s fastest growing economies.
'With our specialisms in key areas including finance, education, energy and life sciences, Scotland is well placed to reap the benefits of being part of a better connected, globalised world.
'By helping to build closer ties with major emerging markets like India, which are in many ways untapped, the British Council can act as Scotland’s gateway to the world.'
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email james.tout@orbit-comms.co.uk. Additional details at www.orbit-comms.co.uk.
Notes to editors
Academics taking part in the mission are:
- Dr Carlo Morelli, Senior Lecturer, Economic Studies, School of Business, University of Dundee.
- Mr David Boddy, Research Fellow, Department of Management, University of Glasgow.
- Professor J John Lennon, Head of Internationalisation for Caledonian Business School, Glasgow Caledonian University.
- Dr Santhosh Abraham CFA, School of Management and Languages, Heriot-Watt University.
- Dr Pravinkumar Balaraman, International Student Co-ordinator, MSc Programme Leader - International Marketing Management, University of the West of Scotland.
- Dr Tom Scally, Head of Business & Management Subject Group, University of the West of Scotland.
- Prof. Dominic Houlihan, OBE, Vice-Principal, Research and Commercialisation, University of Aberdeen.
- Dr John Paterson, Deputy Head of School of Law, University of Aberdeen.
Quotes from individual academics are available on request
The British Council is Scotland’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. They work in over 100 countries worldwide to build engagement and trust for Scotland through the exchange of knowledge and ideas between people. The organisation works in the arts, education, English, science, sport and governance and last year engaged face to face with 18.4 million people and reached 652 million.
The British Council is a non-political organisation which operates at arm’s length from government. Its total turnover in 2009/10 was £705 million, of which grant-in-aid from the British government was £211 million. For every £1 of government grant, £2.50 is earned from other sources.
For more information see www.britishcouncil.org/scotland.
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