Driving Innovation and Growth: Coventry University’s Commitment to India’s Education Sector

A New Chapter in UK-India Academic Collaboration: Yashodhara Dasgupta Takes the Lead

The UK and India have long shared a dynamic and evolving relationship, with education serving as a cornerstone of their partnership. Over the years, academic collaborations and student exchanges have significantly contributed to strengthening bilateral ties. This bond was further reinforced by a landmark free trade agreement, which is expected to boost trade and investment between the two nations. Notably, Indian students have become an integral part of the UK’s international education strategy, with enrolments steadily increasing.

Coventry University, a renowned UK institution known for its expertise in business, engineering, and research, is actively fostering UK-India educational cooperation through its India Hub. Offering a diverse range of programmes, including ethical hacking, disaster management, and product design, the university reflects its global outlook. To deepen academic partnerships, Coventry University appointed Yashodhara Dasgupta, an expert in public policy and bilateral relations, as Managing Director of the India Hub in New Delhi. Her appointment further strengthens the university’s commitment to collaboration with Indian institutions and research engagement.

At a pivotal moment in UK-India relations, marked by a new trade deal projected to enhance trade by over £25 billion by 2040, Coventry University continues to expand its global strategy. The university will become the first UK institution to establish a campus in India’s GIFT City, with student enrolment expected to commence in 2026. Bringing over a decade of experience in the UK-India corridor, Yashodhara has previously led India advocacy at the UK-India Business Council, while also serving in key roles within the UK’s Department for Business & Trade and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, where she played a crucial role in shaping trade policy, including the UK-India Free Trade Agreement.

Moreover, she has held positions at the US-India Business Council, the Embassy of South Korea in India, and The Economic Times, contributing extensively to bilateral and economic engagement across diplomacy, business policy, and trade. Expressing her vision for the India Hub, Yashodhara underscored the alignment between India’s emphasis on education, skills, and innovation and Coventry University’s strengths. She further highlighted the recent UK-India trade deal as a testament to the enduring commitment between both nations to fortify their partnership.

University leadership has voiced strong confidence in her ability to lead the India Hub, citing her experience in international trade, her multi-sector expertise, and her strategic outlook as invaluable assets for her role. As the UK and India continue to expand their academic and economic collaboration, Coventry University remains at the forefront of shaping the future of global education.

Editor’s Note:

Yashodhara Dasguota’s appointment as Managing Director of Coventry University's India Hub is not just another leadership change, it is a strategic milestone in the evolving UK-India educational partnership. With over a decade of experience navigating the UK-India corridor, Yashodhara understands the intricacies of diplomacy, trade, and policy-making. Her expertise in bilateral negotiations, particularly her role in shaping the UK-India Free Trade Agreement, positions her uniquely to expand academic initiatives between Coventry University and Indian institutions. She brings the weight of experience and a deep understanding of how education drives economic growth, innovation, and cultural exchange. The India Hub marks a strategic investment amid rising demand for quality international education in India. As Coventry University prepares to open the first UK campus in GIFT City, Yashodhara’s leadership will be key to advancing research, student mobility, and industry ties. Her appointment expands the university’s presence and reinforces the UK’s long-term commitment to education, skills, and innovation in India. 

Skoobuzz believes that in a time when academic partnerships shape national agendas, her role could significantly elevate UK-India educational collaboration on a global scale.