Clean energy research exchange brings Indian students to UEL

An international partnership between the University of East London (UEL) and India’s leading technical institutions, IIT Delhi and IIT Madras, has brought students to UEL this month as part of a joint effort to tackle global energy challenges.

The visit is part of the ENERGISE project - a collaborative UK-India initiative supported by the British Council’s UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI) - which brings together the three universities to drive clean energy innovation through academic exchange.

Students from IIT Delhi and Madras are spending a month at UEL, working closely with academic staff and postgraduate researchers on a range of renewable energy topics, including solar technologies, heat storage, battery thermal management, hydrogen systems, and net-zero building design. Their work involves data analysis, prototype testing, and technical reporting - offering valuable experience in a practical research environment.

The 10 visiting students are accompanied by leading academics Dr Ravi Kumar from IIT Delhi and Professor K. S. Reddy from IIT Madras. Alongside their research, they are also taking part in technical workshops, lab visits, and guest lectures. A key highlight of the visit is the 3rd International Symposium on Renewable Energy Technologies (ISRET), taking place on 9 June - a flagship event of the ENERGISE initiative.
UEL, as a core partner in ENERGISE, is working closely with its Indian counterparts to deliver a number of long-term outcomes. These include the development of a joint curriculum, collaborative research publications, academic and industry partnerships, and shared access to laboratory facilities.

The University plays a leading role in shaping the direction of the project and supporting the next generation of clean energy experts through research, innovation and education.

Speaking about the exchange programme, Dr Hasan Baig, Senior Lecturer in Engineering and Construction at UEL and principal investigator for ENERGISE, said,

This visit marks a significant step in advancing our international collaboration in renewable energy research and education.
It offers a valuable opportunity for students from IIT Delhi and IIT Madras to engage with real-world research challenges here at UEL, while also contributing to our wider vision of building a global network of clean energy innovators."

The exchange reflects UEL’s broader commitment to bridging research and practice, building international partnerships, and contributing meaningfully to the global transition to sustainable energy.