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Award Ceremony

This June, the University of Sussex, in partnership with the British Council, welcomed a distinguished delegation of 20 senior academic leaders, administrators and regulators from the University of Delhi and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), accompanied by a representative from the British Council India.

The two-week residency titled: Transformative Leadership in Higher Education: Fostering Future Innovation & Global Collaboration marked the fourth phase of the University of Delhi's global capacity-building initiative and represented a significant milestone in the growing partnership between Sussex and one of India's leading higher education institutions. As India continues to transform its higher education sector through its Viksit Bharat@2047 vision, the programme brought together university leaders to explore how institutions can respond to global challenges through innovation, research excellence, inclusive education and international collaboration.

The delegation was formally welcomed by Professor Sasha Roseneil, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Sussex, before embarking on an intensive programme that showcased Sussex's strengths in leadership, education, research, internationalisation and student success.

Across the two weeks, participants engaged in a rich programme of workshops, discussions and collaborative activities led by colleagues from across the University. The programme drew on the expertise of Pro-Vice-Chancellors, Associate Deans, Faculty leaders, academic staff and professional services colleagues, as well as Centres of Excellence in Research, offering insights into the University's strategic approach to global engagement, research excellence, curriculum innovation, digital education, artificial intelligence, student experience, equality, diversity and inclusion, employability, entrepreneurship and institutional leadership.

The residency also provided valuable opportunities to explore how Sussex develops interdisciplinary research, fosters international partnerships and creates an inclusive learning environment that enables students and staff to thrive. Through open dialogue and the exchange of experience, delegates and Sussex colleagues considered shared opportunities and challenges facing higher education systems in both the UK and India. Alongside the academic programme, delegates were introduced to campus life through a student-led tour and participated in a range of cultural visits including the University of Cambridge, Brighton Aldridge Community Academy, the Royal Pavilion and the Seven Sisters as well as cream teas and fish and chips.

Professor Simon Thompson, Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International), developed the programme and accompanied the delegation throughout the residency, facilitating academic exchange and strengthening institutional relationships. The programme concluded with reflections on future opportunities for collaboration, participant presentations and a celebration event led by Professor Robin Banerjee, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global and Civic Engagement), recognising the successful completion of the programme.

The visit further strengthened the University's longstanding commitment to international partnership and reaffirmed Sussex's role as a global leader in advancing transformative higher education through collaboration, research and educational innovation. It also laid the foundations for future collaboration between Sussex, the University of Delhi and higher education partners across India.