New university in Gujarat to be created with advice from Isis Innovation
8 July 2013
A new independent, industry-focused university is being established in Gujarat, India, under the aegis of Whistling Group. The Whistling Group will draw on expert advice from Isis Innovation Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of Oxford, and from various members of the University of Oxford acting in a consultancy capacity.
The new university will offer postgraduate training in alternative energy, conventional energy and management, and will establish its own research programmes, aiming to become a national hub for innovation. It aims to be an independent, world-class university that will provide an opportunity to a number of under-privileged students who cannot afford or access world-class education, and will promote women's participation in the field of alternative energy. The new university will also establish a policy think tank to influence strategic decisions in the field of energy, environment, and sustainability on a global scale.
A consultancy agreement was signed in June 2013 between representatives of Whistling Group, an industrial group created by Gujarat entrepreneur Mr Parag Shah, and knowledge partner Isis Innovation Ltd, the University of Oxford's technology transfer company, which manages consultancy work carried out by the University's experts. The agreement is the first such agreement Isis Innovation has signed in India.
Isis Innovation will be engaged as a lead consultant to advise on the creation of an 'Innovation Centre' to facilitate translation of knowledge from the university. Isis Innovation will also make expertise available through visiting and guest faculty members who will act as consultants, via Oxford University Consulting, working with industry leaders and world experts in designing the university's curriculum, and helping to build international partnerships.
Tom Hockaday, Managing Director of Isis Innovation, said, 'Isis is excited to be providing advice for the formation of this unique and innovative institution. We look forward to sourcing the expertise that will create a strong intellectual and process foundation for the university, drawing on experts from the University of Oxford and others, and we will support technology transfer staff at the new university with international placements.'
Parag Shah, Chairman, Whistling Group said, 'The new university's objective is to create a world class education, research and innovation ecosystem in India. We are very pleased to be in knowledge partnership with Isis Innovation and to be advised by experts from the University of Oxford. Our university will focus on providing cutting edge education in the Energy, Environment, Management, Law and Technology domains. The university will be the first of its kind in Asia, and its campus will be completely sustainable and carbon neutral.'
Loren Griffith, Director of International Strategy at Oxford University, said: 'Oxford University has no plans in the foreseeable future to offer full degree courses anywhere other than Oxford itself, and so has no plans to establish an overseas campus. However, the university has identified increasing global cooperation as a key objective of its 2013-2018 strategic plan. This agreement between the Whistling Group and Isis will broaden overseas ties. We anticipate that the project will make a positive contribution to providing energy security for India.'
Notes to editors
- The project advisory board, providing technical and strategic oversight in relation to the project, will consist of Dr John Hood, ex-Vice-Chancellor of the Universities of Auckland (1998-2004) and Oxford (2004 to 2009); Professor Sir Chris Llewellyn Smith FRS, Director of Energy Research, Oxford University; Stephan Chambers, Director of the MBA Degree at the Saïd Business School at Oxford University; Professor Peter Dobson OBE, Academic Director of Oxford University's Begbroke Science Park; and Mr Tom Hockaday, Managing Director of Isis Innovation. Quotes from members of the project advisory board:
- Dr John Hood: 'Universities are complex bodies, and striking the right balance between the many interdependent functions is crucial. I am delighted to contribute to this exciting project in the vitally important field of alternative energy which promises to make an impact both in Gujarat and internationally.'
- Professor Sir Chris Llewellyn Smith FRS (Foreign Member of the Indian National Science Academy, currently Director of Energy Research, Oxford University, and a former Director General of CERN): 'Providing the skills required to meet future energy demand in a sustainable manner is a huge challenge, especially for India where demand is growing exceptionally rapidly. Oxford has wide-ranging expertise in energy research, in both the natural and social sciences, and in fostering innovation, and we look forward to helping the new university fulfil a vital need.'
- Stephan Chambers: 'Globalisation brings great blessings but also great threats. For those threats to be mitigated requires coordinated innovation. It requires able and creative people harnessing the promise of emerging technologies and knowing how to capitalize and grow firms. Centres of excellence like the new university that help young people address this potential and which harness innovation are enormously important to help us migrate to more sustainable energy sources.'
- Professor Peter Dobson: 'It is very timely to assist our friends in Gujarat to translate scientific ideas into business in the alternative energy sector. This is going to be very important as the demand for energy in India increases and new business opportunities arise. We can apply some of our knowledge of setting up early-stage companies, and in return we could learn much from some of the frugal innovation (Jugaad) that is becoming practised in India. There are opportunities here for some of the new energy companies in the UK to form partnerships with India to export or develop technology together.'
About Whistling Education Pvt Ltd
Whistling Education Pvt Ltd is a joint venture in the field of education and research between the Whistling Group and Sun Shakti Energy. Whistling Education's focus is to bring cutting edge educational practices with a focus on sustainability and alternative energy to India.Whistling Education’s endeavour is to create a world class education and research eco-system in India.
About Isis Innovation
Isis Innovation is the University of Oxford's technology transfer company and manages the University's intellectual property portfolio, working with University researchers on identifying, protecting and marketing technologies through licensing, spin-out company formation and material sales. Isis files on average two new patent applications each week, has concluded over 600 technology licensing agreements, and established 80 new spin-out companies from Oxford since 1997. Isis also manages Oxford University Consulting, which arranges consulting services providing clients access to the world-class expertise of the University's academics to enhance innovative capability. Last year OUC arranged over 290 consulting deals. Isis has a separate business division, Isis Enterprise, offering consulting expertise and advice in technology transfer and open innovation to university, government and industrial clients around the world. Isis was founded in 1987 and is today one of the world's leading technology transfer and innovation management companies. www.isis-innovation.com
Media Contacts:
Aviruk Chakraborty
Director, Whistling Sun Education Pvt. Ltd.
aviruk@whistlingeducation.com
T : +91-(0)79-40046000
Rakesh Roshan
Technology Team Leader and India Country Head, Isis Innovation Ltd.
rakesh.roshan@isis.ox.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)1865 280853
Simon Gray
Head of Marketing, Isis Innovation Ltd.
simon.gray@isis.ox.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)1865 614428
Images available:
RadcliffeCamera.jpg – Tom Hockaday (L, Managing Director of Isis Innovation) and Parag Shah (R, Chairman of Whistling Group) in front of the Radcliffe Camera in Oxford.BridgeOfSighs.jpg - Tom Hockaday (L, Managing Director of Isis Innovation) and Parag Shah (R, Chairman of Whistling Group) in front of the Hertford College Bridge of Sighs in Oxford.
BridgeOfSighs.jpg – From L, Dr Rakesh Roshan, (Isis Innovation Ltd),Tom Hockaday (Isis Innovations Ltd), Parag Shah (Whistling Group), Linda Naylor (Isis Innovation Ltd), Dhananjaysinh Chudasama (Sun Shakti Energy Solutions Pvt. Ltd), Aviruk Chakraborty (Sun Shakti Energy Solutions Pvt. Ltd).
AgreementParties.jpg – From L, Dr Rakesh Roshan, (Isis Innovation Ltd),Tom Hockaday (Isis Innovations Ltd), Parag Shah (Whistling Group), Linda Naylor (Isis Innovation Ltd), Dhananjaysinh Chudasama (Sun Shakti Energy Solutions Pvt. Ltd), Aviruk Chakraborty (Sun Shakti Energy Solutions Pvt. Ltd).
