In a landmark move set to redefine international research collaboration in India, the Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (GITAM), a leading private university based in Andhra Pradesh, has partnered with the UK’s Coventry University to launch the country’s first dual degree PhD program. This pioneering academic partnership will culminate in a dual doctoral degree awarded jointly by both institutions.
The agreement, formalized on March 6, marks the culmination of 14 months of in-depth discussions between academic teams led by Professor Carl Perrin, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at Coventry University, and Professor KNS Acharya, Pro Vice-Chancellor of GITAM Bengaluru. Together, the teams identified strategic areas of synergy and designed a robust operational framework to ensure the success of the collaboration.
This dual degree PhD program is designed to integrate scholars into a globally connected research ecosystem. Participants will benefit from joint supervision by faculty from both universities, access to world-class research infrastructure, industry partnerships, and funding avenues across India and the UK. Scholars will also have the opportunity to contribute to international research initiatives, fostering a global academic outlook and receiving dual accreditation.
The initiative aligns with Coventry University Group’s wider global engagement strategy, which includes the establishment of its India Global Hub in New Delhi last year. This hub complements existing Global Hubs in Africa, China, Brussels, and Singapore, strengthening Coventry’s global academic and industrial footprint.
Professor Richard Dashwood, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research at Coventry University, highlighted the broader vision behind the collaboration: “This partnership with GITAM reflects our commitment to advancing global research excellence with real-world impact. Through joint research, faculty exchanges, and student mobility programs, we are cultivating a collaborative ecosystem where knowledge is not just shared, but co-created. This empowers our students and researchers to tackle pressing global challenges while gaining a rich international academic experience.”
Professor KNS Acharya, Pro Vice-Chancellor at GITAM, echoed the transformative nature of the agreement: “GITAM is deeply committed to forging impactful global partnerships that drive meaningful research. This collaboration with Coventry University is more than an academic exchange—it’s a blueprint for co-developing solutions to some of the world’s most urgent problems. By aligning our research strengths and harnessing complementary expertise, we are building an interdisciplinary platform that fosters innovation and societal transformation.”
This partnership sets a precedent for future academic collaborations in India, offering a unique and ambitious model for globally integrated doctoral research.
