This blog post was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

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Peter Beckingham

Former governor in Turks and Caicos Islands

Part of UK in India

9th September 2010

Oxford spires and Middlesex campuses lure Indian students

Two visitors to Mumbai in September from very different English universities illustrated areas where there are immense opportunities for British interests in India.

Professor Lionel Tarassenko, Chair of Electrical Engineering at Oxford University,  came to Mumbai and other Indian cities to give a lecture on “mHealth for the management of chronic diseases”.  In a fascinating presentation to lecturers and students at Mumbai’s  prestigious IIT (Indian Institute of Technology)  Professor Tarassenko described how his research at Oxford had demonstrated the significant benefits of using mobile telephony to monitor people with ailments like heart disease, hypertension and diabetes.

His research has potential commercial spin-off. Professor Tarassenko’s  visit was one of a number from UK universities this year (Prof Marcus Du Sautoy gave another stimulating talk in Mumbai on “The Music of the Primes”) organised by the Science and Innovation Network at the High Commission to highlight the depth and range of the links between the UK and Indian universities.  During the visit of the Prime Minister and his delegation last month both Governments agreed to launch a number of initiatives in science and research.

Another university visitor to Mumbai in September, the Vice Chancellor of Middlesex University, Professor Michael Driscoll, helped to highlight other aspects of these strong university links.  While he was in Mumbai the Vice Chancellor signed a contract with an Indian provider of IT training Aptech.   As a result  Middlesex University will be providing Indian students with the opportunity to do the final year of their three year programme in London.  The University is also looking at the possibility of establishing its own campus in India.

From the leafy surroundings of Oxford colleges to large campuses in North West London, British academics are exploring and demonstrating the opportunities for collaboration to strengthen UK and Indian science and business interests in Mumbai.

About Peter Beckingham

Peter was the Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands from 2013 to 2016. Before this, he was British Deputy High Commissioner to India, based in Mumbai, the commercial capital,…

Peter was the Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands from
2013 to 2016. Before this, he was British Deputy High Commissioner to India, based in Mumbai, the commercial capital, where he had a responsibility for developing UK-India trade and investment. His earlier appointments have
included Consul-General and Director-General of Trade and Investment in
Sydney, and British Ambassador to the Philippines, where he initiated
the UK Government’s involvement in a peace process with the Philippine
Government and Muslim rebel groups.
Peter is married to Jill, a teacher of special needs, and they have
two grown up children. His outside interests include cricket, golf and
running.