University of Liverpool announces its first India campus in Bengaluru; Minister MB Patil says, ‘great leap forward for city’

BENGALURU: The University of Liverpool, part of the UK’s prestigious Russell Group, on Tuesday marked its plans to open Bengaluru’s first Foreign University campus by 2026, a release said.

The event with senior dignitaries from the Government of Karnataka, including Chief Minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah, welcomed a new chapter in UK-India higher education collaboration.

The announcement was a celebration of cross-border collaboration and was marked by the presence of several senior ministers who welcomed the University to Bengaluru.

The event witnessed the presence of MC Sudhakar, Minister for Higher Education; Dinesh Gundu Rao, Minister for Health & Family Welfare; and MB Patil, Minister for Large & Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development, each representing the state’s unified vision to position Karnataka as a hub for world-class learning.

Speaking to reporters after the event, Karnataka Minister MB Patil said, “Bengaluru is a global city, being the Silicon Valley of India. We are pioneers in private professional colleges. The journey started with Manipal and all other institutions. Now we are getting all the top foreign universities in the Global 500 to Bengaluru.”

“This will further enhance Bengaluru’s global image. With institutions like the Indian Institute of Science, ISRO, DRDO and others…So, it is a great leap forward for Bengaluru, so if all foreign universities come and establish their set-ups over here, our children who want to go to various countries for studies can have the same advantage in Bengaluru…” he said.

According to a release, the new Bengaluru campus will be grounded in the university’s research-intensive culture and internationally recognised academic standards. It will also serve as a catalyst for deepening partnerships with Karnataka’s dynamic innovation ecosystem, connecting students and researchers to emerging industry needs in both India and the UK.

The initial set of programmes will include Business Management, Accounting and Finance, Computer Science, Biomedical Sciences, and Game Design, offered for the first time by a UK university campus in India. A broader portfolio of disciplines is expected to be added in subsequent phases.

Professor Tim Jones, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool, said, “We are proud to take this significant step in our long-standing relationship with India by opening a world-class campus in Bengaluru. The state of Karnataka’s reputation as a knowledge and technology powerhouse makes it an ideal home for the University’s campus in India. We are committed to delivering transformative education and research in partnership with local communities, institutions and industries.”

In line with its commitment to building industry-academic partnerships, Professor Tariq Ali, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Global Engagements and Partnerships, University of Liverpool, added that the University also signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Bengaluru-headquartered IT giant Wipro Limited, as well as Axis Bank and TiE Bangalore.

Welcoming the University’s entry into Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, “Karnataka has always been at the forefront of education and innovation. The University of Liverpool’s decision to set up its first foreign campus in Bengaluru reinforces our status as a global knowledge destination. We welcome them wholeheartedly and are committed to extending all support to make this venture a grand success.”

Chandru Iyer, British Deputy High Commissioner in Bengaluru, said: “The UK and India have made a commitment to refresh and deepen our partnership to deliver even more for both countries. Our expanded partnership will deliver iconic, forward-looking collaborations in diverse areas such as AI and semiconductors, higher education campuses, and green energy initiatives. The announcement of Liverpool University opening a campus in Bengaluru is both evidence and a celebration of the UK-India partnership.”

He added: “The Technology Security Initiative, announced in July 2024, will deliver crucial collaboration on telecoms innovation and unlock investment across emerging technologies. Furthermore, the UK-India FTA announced recently that it delivers on the UK government’s core mission of growing the economy, raising living standards, and putting money in people’s pockets.”

Minister for Large & Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development, MB Patil, stated, “The University of Liverpool choosing Karnataka for its first overseas campus reflects our state’s growing global stature as a hub for both industry and intellect. This collaboration will drive deeper ties between academia and sectors like electronics, aerospace, and biotechnology–through joint research, internships, and curriculum design. It will also benefit MSMEs and startups by opening access to world-class mentorship and innovation platforms.”

The University already enjoys robust collaborations in Karnataka, including a 20-year research partnership with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), which has helped inform World Health Organisation vaccine policies, saving over 200,000 lives. Ongoing engagements with institutions such as the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru and corporate partners like Hindustan Unilever further highlight the University’s longstanding commitment to the state.

Alongside the campus launch, the University’s leadership is exploring broader partnerships with Indian enterprises and global organisations to fuel innovation, entrepreneurship and upskilling. These efforts are set to create impactful opportunities for both domestic and international students.
With the new Bengaluru campus to be operational by 2026, the University of Liverpool aims to bring globally recognised UK education to Indian students, strengthen academic-industry partnerships, and contribute to Karnataka’s ambition of becoming an international hub for learning and innovation. (ANI)