Building global bridges: Edinburgh’s innovative partnership with Gujarat Biotechnology University

Based in GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, GBU was opened to students in 2022 by the Government of Gujarat with academic support from Edinburgh. As India’s first dedicated biotechnology university, it has been designed to serve as a hub for research and innovation, equipping students with the skills to tackle challenges in healthcare, agriculture, the environment, and industry. The partnership is a flagship project for Edinburgh in India, building on long-standing collaborations and the University’s commitment to advancing science education abroad. 

Led by Edinburgh’s School of Biological Sciences, the University has advised on academic structure, curriculum design, faculty development and research priorities. Rather than creating a satellite campus, Edinburgh and the Government of Gujarat together helped establish an independent institution fully embedded in India’s higher education landscape. This approach allows GBU to chart its own course while drawing on Edinburgh’s expertise in cutting-edge biotechnology research and teaching. 

Professor Iain Gordon, Head of the College of Science and Engineering, has seen the project evolve to a key part of the University’s global engagement strategy.  

He emphasises the initiative’s strategic significance: 

“It’s the first of its kind. Often, universities will set up their own campus abroad, but that is not what we’ve done. GBU is completely independent. Helping to create it and define its frontier-level education, in partnership with the Gujarat state government, gives the programme a model where education is fully embedded and independently owned.” 

Edinburgh’s academic staff engage with GBU through teaching, research, faculty training, mentorship, and sharing best practices in leadership, policy, and industry collaboration. Selected students also take part in research placements in Edinburgh, with industry partners, or other linked institutions.  

GBU currently offers a two-year Master’s programme (MSc) specialising in five areas of biotechnology: Animal, Environmental, Industrial, Medical and Plant Biotechnology. The programme combines coursework in the first year with a research-intensive second year focused on individual dissertations. Students are trained in practical research skills, scientific communication, and critical analysis, preparing them for careers in academia, industry, or entrepreneurship. 

Amala Peri, one of the GBU students who visited Edinburgh on a research placement in 2025, describes the programme as transformative: 

“GBU’s curriculum is extremely unique in India. The second year is fully dedicated to your dissertation, which is typically longer than most postgraduate projects. The course structure, assessments, and work culture are very intensive. GBU overwhelms you in the best way.” 

She highlights the focus on research and skill-building: 

“GBU inculcates the habit of referring to research papers early on, and assessments include presentations and reviews rather than long written exams. This really helps develop strong communication skills and prepares you for research or industry.” 

Amala also valued the opportunity to spend time researching in Edinburgh: 

“My favourite part about being on campus in Edinburgh is how developed the facilities are. I am in the Christina Miller building, School of Chemistry. I especially like how close and organised the offices and labs are. The system of undergoing training for certain instruments and then being able to book them is also very nice. Another one of my favourite things about the work culture is how you don’t have to stay on campus when you don’t have wet lab work. I’ve been studying and writing my thesis by booking study spaces in the library. The inclusivity of all these preferences really shines out to me.” 

Professor Gordon notes that GBU students represent some of the most talented life science graduates in India: 

“These students are superb, and are being matched with strong faculty on exciting projects. In combination with the already excellent laboratory infrastructure, this means GBU students have the best possible opportunities to become future leaders.” 

He stresses the wider strategic importance for Edinburgh: 

“Altogether, the impact in India is different from what we could achieve working solely in Edinburgh or even Europe. And it helps us really understand the aspirations of students from other countries and what practices work well in different education systems. It provides insights into a different innovation ecosystem and how to create impact at scale. Being involved from the ground up ensures that Edinburgh maintains strong Indian relationships and contributes meaningfully to the international biotechnology ecosystem.” 

Beyond academics, GBU promotes community engagement, interdisciplinary work, and applied research. Its students are trained to think critically, work independently, and tackle real-world problems — preparing them with transferable skills for the workforce. 

“GBU is a story not just about science, but about building ecosystems that connect disciplines and countries,” Gordon said. “It’s about creating the conditions where big ideas can thrive. For Edinburgh, being part of that journey demonstrates our commitment to the right strategic international partnerships, to innovation, and to preparing students to be leaders.” 

From its beginnings, the GBU initiative has bridged disciplines and continents. The programme aligns with the “One Health” agenda, emphasising the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, with projects already showing promise in agriculture, plant science, public health, and environmental sustainability. 

As GBU’s second cohort of graduates enters the workforce, the Edinburgh partnership continues to develop. Through shared knowledge, mentorship, and collaborative research, Edinburgh and GBU are strengthening ties between Scotland and India and creating a model for international higher education partnerships.