University 'improving lives' through India links
The University of Birmingham says its links with India and other Commonwealth countries are helping to improve the lives of millions of people around the world.
Much of this is due to the joint research projects that the university conducts with other countries, including India, where it now has an office.
The office - at the Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi - was opened two years after the university launched its India Institute in 2018, in order to forge research and education links.
Among the research currently underway is India H2O, a consortium of 20 organisations which is seeking to solve clean water shortages that exist in many rural areas in India.
India H20 - part funded by the Indian government - is developing new technologies to make it possible to use water that is too contaminated to be drink without treatment.
Further research is being carried out into the impact of the release of antibiotics into India 's waterways.
The antibiotics are from manufacturing sources, and it is believed they may be having an impact on the spread of potentially fatal infections.
It is estimated that 58,000 babies die in India every year due to superbug infections passed on from their mothers.
This is not just an Indian problem - it is believed that drug-resistant pathogens cause between 28,000 and 38,000 deaths in the European Union each year also.
The research programme into the issue is being led by the university, along with experts from the Indian Institute of Technology in Hyderabad.
A third water-related project is looking into the impact of billions of tonnes of plastic waste being dumped into the Ganges, which is one of the world 's most polluted rivers.
University of Birmingham Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) Professor Robin Mason (pictured) said: “The University of Birmingham is a leading global civic university committed to enriching the lives of citizens in Birmingham and beyond.
“We have strong research and education links with many countries across the Commonwealth including Australia, Canada, India, Kenya, Malaysia and Singapore.
“We 're proud of our many research collaborations which address global and regional challenges. From reducing the impact of refrigerated food distribution chains in Rwanda, tackling the societal impact of air pollution in Kenya, to helping make India 's cities more sustainable and creating more efficient urban rail transport in Singapore, our researchers are forging links with counterparts that will change millions of lives for the better.
“Our education partnerships draw students from many Commonwealth countries to Birmingham, and we are particularly proud of collaborations such as our postgraduate programme with the University of Melbourne, which is helping to train the next generation of engineers and physical scientists in the UK and Australia '.
“An official partner of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the university will host hockey and squash. As we look forward to welcoming athletes from around the world to our great city, this is the perfect time for us to further strengthen our relationships in Commonwealth countries by joining the Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce.
“We look forward to working with our partners in the Chamber, sharing expertise and understanding that will ensure the University 's future plans create maximum benefit for people in countries across the Commonwealth. ”