World’s best minds discuss sustainable cities and microbial infection
A two-day international workshop on sustainable cities and microbial infection has concluded in New Delhi.
The workshop was jointly organised by the University of Birmingham and Panjab University (PU), in collaboration with the University of Nottingham. PU led a group of institutions around Chandigarh, known as the Chandigarh Region Innovation and Knowledge Cluster (CRIKC).
Experts from Birmingham – one of the world’s top 100 universities – and PU, the leading university in India, met in Chandigarh and Delhi, agreeing to lay the foundation for joint research that could help to solve major problems facing both countries.
Research specialists in the area of sustainable cities from Birmingham and Chandigarh have agreed to work together in helping cities of both countries survive the massive population wave that will hit them in the coming decades.
Similarly, experts in infection and microbiology discussed joint research opportunities that could help tackle issues such as the causes of antimicrobial resistance. India is the world’s largest consumer of antibiotics and faces significant problems with such drugs fast losing their power to heal.
India’s Minister of State of External Affairs General Vijay Kumar Singh attended the event’s closing session in Delhi, whilst Birmingham experts met UK Minister for Universities & Science Jo Johnson after the workshop to brief him on its highlights. Mr Johnson is pictured above with, from left, University of Birmingham Chancellor Lord Bilimoria of Chelsea, General Vijay Kumar Singh, PU Vice-Chancellor Professor Arun Kumar Grover and University of Birmingham Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) Professor Robin Mason.
Jo Johnson said: “We have a long history of working closely with India and this two-day workshop is a brilliant example of the UK’s world leading researchers collaborating and sharing expertise with Indian counterparts to find innovative solutions to issues that affect people around the world.”
Addressing the workshop, General Vijay Kumar Singh said: “The world is shrinking – universities interacting to share knowledge is no longer a luxury to make the world better, it is a must. If we do not do that, we will be lagging behind in our duty towards humanity.
“I envy the students of today who have opportunities to work together. We must put into effect what we have learned in our universities and create a social impact. I see a great future ahead and hope that the type of co-operation we see here today exceeds our imagination.”
