About UKIERI

Programme Background

UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI) started in April 2006 with the aim of enhancing educational links between India and the UK. UKIERI has been recognized as a key multi stakeholder programme that has strengthened the educational relations between the two countries and been successful in covering all segments of the education sector.

Mutuality of benefit has been the core principle of all partnerships supported under the programme. UKIERI committed over £ 25 million through three main strands of Higher Education & Research, Schools & Professional and Technical Skills in the first phase of the programme. The programme also offered an opportunity for policy dialogue between India and the UK on areas of mutual interest.

An independent evaluation of the programme highlighted that there is good evidence of impact and sustainability in most of the UKIERI collaborations and the initiative has contributed effectively to the development of significant and strategic programmes that benefit the society.

UKIERI, as a programme, has been flexible and has evolved according to experience gained during its implementation and the changing needs of both countries. This has been possible through constant consultation processes with the representatives of the UK and Indian sectors and through evaluation of feedback from related bodies & organizations. About 90 % of the participants agreed that the UKIERI funding had enabled them to undertake research, develop links and experience approaches to work and study that would otherwise not be possible.