Somerville College is proud to acknowledge the recognition of the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development (OICSD) in the UK Government’s official announcement on the landmark UK-India Trade deal.
As highlighted in the government’s press release, Indian business investments are playing a vital role in deepening bilateral cooperation between the UK and India. The OICSD at the University of Oxford stands as a leading example of how academic institutions can serve as bridges between the two countries.
Established in 2013 at Somerville College, the OICSD has become a vital platform for interdisciplinary research, policy dialogue and an avenue to cultivate leadership on sustainable development issues with a strong focus on India. Over the past 12 years, the Centre has supported over 70 talented Indian students to pursue their higher education at the University of Oxford, across a broad range of disciplines including Geography, Law, Chemistry, Physics, Medicine, Area Studies and Public Policy.
A Model for UK-India Collaboration
The UK government’s announcement highlights how Indian businesses are not only contributing to trade and economic growth, but also enabling academic and intellectual collaboration. The Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development, supported by philanthropic and corporate partners such as UPL Ltd and the Tata Group among others, is central to this effort.
The OICSD has aligned itself to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals framework and encompasses a broad range of research areas, including climate change adaption, sustainable energy transition, innovation in healthcare, biodiversity conservation, water management, law, public policy and human rights.
The Chair of OICSD’s International Advisory Board, Rt. Hon. Patricia Hewitt said, “We are proud to be part of this historic trade agreement between our two great nations. Any gain for India is a gain for the world — and the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development embodies that spirit by promoting ‘brain gain’ for India through its outstanding scholarship programme at Oxford”
Building Futures through Philanthropy
The government announcement underlines how Indian industry is playing a vital role in realising this vision. UPL Ltd, a global sustainable agriculture firm based in India, has been a long-term supporter of OICSD. The first phase of the partnership between the OICSD and UPL centred on the OpenAg Symposium, held annually at the University of Oxford to examine the impact of climate change on agriculture. The symposium brought together key stakeholders in government, thinktanks, industry, media and academia across the UK and beyond to foster collaborative learning.
As mentioned in the government’s announcement, the new phase of this partnership will focus on knowledge exchange, supported by £2.5 million over the next five years
This partnership with UPL is the OICSD’s second major agreement since last year. The Tata Group committed a significant donation to the OICSD and Somerville College, enabling the construction of the Ratan Tata Building. Once completed, the Ratan Tata Building will provide a permanent home for the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development and serve as a landmark space for UK-India engagement within the university.
Looking Ahead
The mention of OICSD in the UK government’s announcement is a timely recognition of its role in building bridges between the UK and India. As both countries deepen their partnership through trade, education, and research, the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development remains a key platform for translating shared values into action.
Baroness Jan Royall, Principal of Somerville College and Executive Director of the OICSD, has been a strong advocate for UK-India collaborations. She said, “We are honoured to be recognised in the UK-India trade deal. Somerville College has a long and proud connection with India, rooted in our values of inclusion, education and public service. With support from UPL and the Tata Group, we look forward to opening up more opportunities for talented Indian students at the University of Oxford”.