New Delhi, March 5 -- As global economies realign around technology, sustainability and new models of work, universities are being called upon to do far more than award degrees. They are expected to shape future-ready leaders, build cross-border research ecosystems and strengthen economic ties. It was against this backdrop that Professor Pawan Budhwar of Aston University and Professor Mark Lee of the University of Birmingham visited Mumbai as part of a high-level delegation from the UK's West Midlands region.

Their visit, which spanned Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Bengaluru, was designed to explore trade, foreign direct investment and, crucially, deeper higher education collaborations between India and the UK.

"We are part of the West Midlands...