UKIERI has successfully completed three rounds of funding to institutions under its various strands. The initiative has been a resounding success either reaching or exceeding its targets set in the early 2006. UKIERI projects run for a number of years and so at this point in the life of the programme, all financial commitments have now been made. This means all funding opportunities under UKIERI are now closed and there will be no further opportunities for new awards between now and 2011.

“UKIERI has been an enabler, it has allowed us to achieve multiplicative enhancement of existing disparate activities through integrating them into a large coherent project which has excited all who has heard about it.”
           - One of the UKIERI researcher

Research collaborations form the core of the UKIERI programme and have been successful in engaging clusters of institutions both in the UK and India.  The collaborations have ensured that benefits that accrue to these ‘centres of excellence’ in both countries also flow to other universities & research centres thereby promoting mutual benefit and sustainability, which are core UKIERI values. One such successful research collaboration is between Centre for Development Studies (India) and University of Essex in the field of Children Rights in India and UK laws and outcomes. This research project aims to increase public discourse and awareness of children’s rights and the obligations of states and societies to respect, protect and promote these rights in the UK and India. Read the complete case study.

The programme was formally launched in Delhi and Mumbai on 26 August and 1 September respectively. The Launch event in both the cities saw more than 250 participants comprising Indian students, academicians, placement providers and Media.

‘India is one of the world's largest and fastest growing economies and a country with increasing global importance. King’s has a long tradition of excellent relations with India, and a strong commitment to encouraging British students to broaden their horizons through an international education; so when the Government approached us with the idea of SIP, we were delighted to help set up this initiative.’
 - Keith Hoggart, Vice Principal Arts & Sciences and External Relations, King’s College London

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One day roundtable discussion was held on 22 August at Delhi focusing on formulation and successful implementation of SSCs was organised jointly by the British Council and the Ministry of Labour & Employment.

“SSCs should be the drive of skill development of the country right from sectoral skill needs to research, training of trainers, development of course curriculum and finally placement. This will also provide synergy between industry and various skill training providers. I see a very strong role of SSCs they will not only be advisory role but would have an execution role. UK has the experience of + 25 yrs and therefore we need to learn from their experience. We will also work with other countries and experts who have got SSCs to utilize their experience and adopt the best practices which are being followed across the globe.”
-  Sharda Prasad, Director General, Ministry of Labour & Employment

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The United Kingdom, through British Council & UKIERI was the ‘Country Partner' for FICCI Global Skills Summit. Key speakers Mr. Chris Humphries (Chief Executive-UK Commission for Employment & Skills) and Mr. Jack Matthews (Chief Executive Officer-Improve Limited) gave their perspective on the session : “Addressing Skill Challenges: Policy Perspective'. This session focussed on The UK’s proven system of Sector Skills Councils and a globally recognised Vocational Qualifications Framework. The speakers also gave an insight on building ambitious and innovative businesses, a creative and highly skilled workforce and a strategic, agile and employment-led university and college system and move towards a demand driven employer led skills system – balancing the public and private sector agendas.

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The programme was aimed at senior staff from UK and Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), to facilitate the exchange of UK & Indian experiences on current leadership issues and promoting cooperation in learning, teaching and research.

Two workshops have been completed successfully under the programme with participation from 28 senior leaders from UK & Indian HEIs. 

"There are three tiers of potential collaborations. First, we will be inviting outstanding professors and researchers in different disciplines to come to Pondicherry University for one to three weeks. They would give lectures and take part in interactions, thereby triggering new ideas among young students”. Coined as “Inspiring Professors,” the plan was aimed at inspiring young minds, Mr. Tareen added.
 - J.A.K. Tareen , Vice-Chancellor,     Pondicherry University

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