Bengaluru: The University of York has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with the Department of Electronics, Information Technology and Biotechnology, Government of Karnataka, to collaborate on research into the bioeconomy, agri-tech, and clean energy.
As per the release, the LoI outlines a framework to explore collaborative opportunities across several high-impact areas, including innovation, entrepreneurship, and startups, as well as joint research in the bioeconomy, clean technology, agri-tech, and digital sectors.
The release states that partnership also aims to build stronger academic and industry links through targeted pilot projects, such as work into anaerobic digestion led by Professor James Chong, Director, Centre of Excellence for Anaerobic Digestion (CEAD) – a research centre established between the University of York and Yorkshire Water.
Professor James Chong said: “Bengaluru’s advanced Research and Development hubs, as well as its world-leading technological industries, means that it can make significant strides in realising a greener future.”
“By working together we can bring what we have learnt from our Centre of Excellence for Anaerobic Digestion and our contribution to the BioYorkshire programme into a global context, scaling-up what we have learnt from both regions to benefit other fast-growing areas around the world”, Professor Chong added.
Home Minister of Karnataka, Priyank Kharge, said: “Our Global Innovation Alliance gives us a ready platform to take this forward. The areas of interest on both sides are closely aligned. We will identify a few clear areas of focus and move quickly on joint innovation programmes, Centres of Excellence, Government-to-Government partnerships and focused trials over the next three years, particularly around sustainability, waste management and creating economic value from waste.”
Following the state-level signing, the University and Mayoral team met with leadership at the Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC), Karnataka’s state-backed bio-innovation hub to discuss the potential for working together in the future.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said, “York and North Yorkshire are leaders in innovation, research and development on the bioeconomy.”
“Sharing our work in York and North Yorkshire with leaders and researchers in Bengaluru has made it clear that significant progress can be made by working together”, he added.
BioYorkshire is a 10-year green agenda initiative and public-private partnership that turns scientific research into commercial biotechnology. Led by the University of York, it aims to make York and North Yorkshire a leading net-zero bioeconomy cluster.
