New Delhi, Oct 28: Sheffield Hallam University has signed three Memorandums of Understanding with three Indian higher education institutions, strengthening academic collaboration, research and student opportunities between India and the UK.
The agreements with the International Institute of Sports & Management; Mumbai, Somaiya Vidyavihar University; Mumbai and the ICFAI; Hyderabad, and Foundation for Higher Education; Hyderabad were signed during the University’s participation in the Great North trade mission to India. The partnerships will provide a framework to explore joint research, student and staff exchanges, progression pathways, programme development and knowledge exchange.
Talking about the new partnerships, Professor Liz Mossop, Vice-Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University, said,
“We are delighted to be strengthening our relationships with India through these new and renewed partnerships. This landmark trade mission has provided an important opportunity to deepen our connections, celebrate our shared ambitions and build new opportunities for collaboration.
“By bringing together our expertise in education, research and innovation, we can create lasting benefits for students, staff and communities in both countries, while strengthening the international links that help our university and our region thrive.”
Sheffield Hallam has renewed its MoU with the ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education, based in Hyderabad, to strengthen academic collaboration and explore opportunities for research, student and staff mobility, and new educational pathways. Sheffield Business School and its Indian counterpart will explore progression routes, study-abroad opportunities, virtual engagement and summer schools.
Speaking about the renewed partnership with ICFAI, Dr Sam Giove, Director of Sheffield Business School at Sheffield Hallam University, said,
“Sheffield Business School is proud to be represented on the Great North trade mission to India and to renew our MoU with the ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education. This reflects our ambition to strengthen ties with prestigious Indian business schools that share our mission and vision. We will now explore progression pathways, study abroad and virtual engagement opportunities, and summer schools.”
The University has also renewed its MoU with Mumbai-based International Institute of Sports & Management, building on an established relationship between the institutions. The partnership will explore joint research and knowledge exchange, student and staff mobility, recruitment and progression routes, programme development, and industry engagement.
The collaboration brings together IISM’s expertise in sports management and sports science with Sheffield Hallam’s strengths in sport education, applied research, sports engineering, physical activity and the wider sport industry.
Commenting on this partnership with IISM, Dr Ruth M Crabtree, Head of the School of Sport and Physical Activity at Sheffield Hallam University, said,
“This agreement provides an exciting platform for Sheffield Hallam to deepen its engagement in India and create mutually beneficial opportunities in education, research and knowledge exchange. Our renewed relationship with IISM brings together complementary expertise in sports management and sports science. Our priority now is to translate the MoU into meaningful opportunities for students, staff and our partners.”
A new institution-wide MoU with Somaiya Vidyavihar University will support discussions on joint research, staff and student exchange, progression arrangements, joint programme development and other academic activities across the University.
The visit comes as India and the UK look to deepen economic and educational ties following the UK–India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which came into force in July 2026. The trade mission brought together nearly 200 representatives from across northern England to build partnerships with Indian universities, businesses and institutions. The four-day programme began in New Delhi before the Yorkshire delegation continued to Hyderabad and Mumbai.
Through these partnerships, Sheffield Hallam aims to strengthen its engagement with India’s higher education sector and explore opportunities that connect academic expertise across the two countries. The next phase will focus on translating the agreements into practical initiatives that benefit students, academics and researchers in India and the UK.
