Coventry University India Office "Open for Business"

The formal opening ceremony takes place on 24 September and will be followed by a dinner hosted by the University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor (International), Dr. David Pillsbury, at the Taj Connemara Hotel in Chennai.

In a new departure for UK universities in India, the Coventry office in Chennai will support activities across India, offer enhanced support for students and forge better relationships with in-country partners as Dr. Pilsbury explains:

"The office will support students, parents and others interested in the educational opportunities in Coventry, and also corporate, educational and research partnerships in India.

“The facility will also offer our Indian alumni a support service and a direct link to the University and will assist potential and current students with employment and support during their study in Coventry and on their return to India."

The office will be staffed by an experienced team of four led by a Director. TN Ramachandran General Manager (operations) from the India Office, said:

"The opening of the India office highlights the commitment the University has to India and in particular the growing South Indian market. The range of services the office will provide to students, sponsors and alumni amongst others, will help consolidate Coventry University’s position as a market leader in the development and support of its International customers."

The services offered by the India office reflect the global and business-facing nature of Coventry University, which is one of the most popular destinations in the UK for international students and which has a long term commitment to international engagement.

Coventry prides itself on its relationships with businesses and consumers and having a permanent presence in India will enable the University to offer Indian students work experience and employment opportunities to prepare them for the global world of work.

During 2008-09, the University worked with more than 8000 businesses including Indian companies such as Tata.

Coventry has a strong reputation for engaging with and supporting entrepreneurship and enterprise activities. It has helped to set up some 120 businesses in 2008-9 and was the runner-up as ‘Entrepreneurial University of the Year’ in the UK’s Times Higher Education’s Annual awards.

At a time when the world economy is coming out of recession these experiences will position Coventry graduates favourably in the marketplace and give the India office a distinctive presence.

Dr. David Pilsbury added:

"The University’s UK and International volunteering programmes will enable the office to get involved in Corporate Social Responsibility and volunteering programmes in India. We are looking forward to developing this type of initiative and other opportunities over the coming months."
This is the fourth office that the University has opened in areas of strategic importance to support its development as a global business facing university, and reflects teh rapid growth in the university's relationship with India.