The University of Bristol, one of the world’s leading universities, has unveiled a series of landmark partnerships at the launch of its new Mumbai Enterprise Campus, including a global strategic partnership with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), alongside a £1.5 million philanthropic gift from the Shanta Foundation that will strengthen research and student mobility between India and the UK. The Mumbai campus marks the University of Bristol’s first international campus and represents a significant milestone in its 150th anniversary year.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TCS, one of the world’s largest IT services and consulting firms, will explore ways to advance artificial intelligence (AI) research, enhance industry-aligned learning, and create meaningful opportunities and career pathways for students. This is one of TCS’ key global strategic partnerships with a university.
Bristol will also be partnering with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, ICICI Bank, Supervity AI, the British Council and the Shanta Foundation in support of its vision to create a campus where world‑leading research, outstanding education, and meaningful industry collaborations come together.
The partnership with TCS is particularly significant in the AI domain. TCS has articulated its ambition to become the world’s largest AI-led technology services company, and Bristol is home to world-leading AI research and education. The university was named as AI University of the Year 2024 and is and home to Isambard-AI, the world’s fastest university supercomputer.
Headquartered in Mumbai, TCS has a strong presence in both the UK and India and will explore offering students industry-aligned placements, the opportunity to work on live projects and exposure to real-world challenges. The collaboration will focus on improving employability outcomes for students and making them industry-ready.
The MoU will also commit both institutions to explore public sector initiatives, community engagement programmes, and talent mobility initiatives such as internships and exchange programmes, alumni engagement to jointly leveraging global networks.
Scheduled to open in August 2026, the Mumbai Enterprise Campus will be located at the Cignus Powai development near Powai Lake, within one of the city’s innovation and technology hubs. Situated opposite IIT Bombay, the campus will benefit from the strategic partnership, closely aligned with India’s National Education Policy (NEP) and focusing on translational research and innovative teaching.
In its first year, up to 250 students are expected to enroll across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in data science, economics, finance and immersive arts, with student numbers projected to exceed 2,500 by year five.
In addition to the MoUs, a £1.5million donation from the Shanta Foundation to the University of Bristol will support research collaborations and partnerships, as well as create opportunities for Mumbai-based students to spend time in Bristol and vice-versa.
The Shanta Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Waymade Capital and co-founded by Bristol alumnus Bhikhu Patel, provides health, shelter and education through both self-funded and jointly-funded projects in Kenya, India and the UK.
The gift will also facilitate the creation of the Shanta Chair, to be held by an academic leader who will act as a bridge between India and the UK, with a focus on key challenges such as climate, health and AI.
To enhance students’ learning journeys, the University of Bristol has developed a visiting fellowship programme, called the Isambard Global Visiting Professorship Scheme, which will play a crucial part in shaping research culture, creating new collaborations with global institutions, delivering public lectures and providing mentoring.
The first person to be appointed to this prestigious position is Kushe Bahl, a lead partner at global management consulting firm McKinsey, where he leads the company’s AI, digital and analytics work in India. His expertise has seen him support leading companies across sectors accelerate their digital journeys and his insight will support students in becoming sector leaders.
A further partnership has been confirmed with the British Council’s Climate Skills Programme. The programme will work with 80 young people across Bristol, Mumbai, and Thane to equip them with green skills through training, mentorship and grants.
Alison Barrett MBE, Country Director India at the British Council, said: “The British Council’s Climate Skills programme reflects a shared commitment to preparing young people for the challenges and opportunities of the future. We are delighted to forge a new meaningful partnership between University of Mumbai and Bristol University, through the Climate Skills Global Collaboration Grants. The partners will mentor talented young people in the UK and India to develop green skills, strengthen climate resilience and employability. Such meaningful education partnerships strengthen institutional capacity and create sustained, two-way growth aligned to the National Education Policy (NEP) and Vision 2035.”
For detailed information on admissions and programme offerings, please visit the university’s website.
