UBC partners with India’s Manipal Academy of Higher Education to address issues of global relevance

May 12, 2021

Drawing on shared strengths, UBC and Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) in Manipal, India signed a partnership agreement May 11 to broaden and deepen existing academic and research collaborations.

With a focus in public and global health, researchers from both institutions will work together under the new agreement to address issues of global relevance outlined in the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Both UBC and MAHE are committed to harnessing their ample resources for the greater good.

MAHE, which India’s Ministry of Education has declared as an Institution of Eminence, has long been distinguished for excellence in education, recognized for its education, research, innovation, internationalization, alumni relations and sustainability mission.

UBC and MAHE signing the Statement of Cooperation on May 11 (photo: UBC)

UBC launched its new global engagement strategy, In Service, in April 2021, aiming to develop students as global citizens, and enhance scholarly activities and capacity development to help build a more just, sustainable world. 

One example is UBC’s approach to global health, responsive to the complex and inter-related issues today spanning countries and continents. Over the years, UBC has developed expertise and involvement in global health across the university, with faculty engaged in primary or related research, education and service activities. UBC is renowned for excellence in the health and medical sciences aspects of global health, in health policy, social and economic dimensions, Indigenous health, and environmental issues and climate change research related to the health of people and the planet.

“In Service prioritizes collaborations that address broad and profound challenges related to the economy, society and the biosphere,” said UBC President and Vice-Chancellor Santa J. Ono after signing the Statement of Cooperation. “UBC remains committed to fostering partnerships, such as this one, that seek a greater societal impact.”

The university is also expanding the types of partnerships it pursues. Said Murali Chandrashekaran, UBC Vice-Provost, International: “We are embracing the view that universities are ‘global actors,’ and must work collaboratively with partners from a range of sectors and geographies to contribute to capacity development and issues of global relevance, and to create global citizens and leaders. Working with MAHE will help us realize these goals and be of service to the world.”

India is UBC’s second-largest source of international students, with nearly 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students studying at the two campuses. UBC also maintains more than 20 strategic partnerships with Indian institutions.

“This relationship with UBC will be mutually beneficial through collaborative action and research opportunities involving students, academics and researchers from both institutions – and over time, will result in a more vibrant academic partnership between the two,” said MAHE Vice-Chancellor Lieutenant General Dr. M. D. Venkatesh.

Find out more about global partnership opportunities with UBC.