Sheffield Hallam University strengthens ties with India through landmark trade mission
Sheffield Hallam University has joined a landmark trade mission to India, signing three Memorandums of Understanding with partner universities to expand opportunities in education, research and knowledge exchange.
The University took part in the Great North trade mission, which brought together seven northern Mayors and senior leaders from business and academia to showcase the North of England and strengthen links with India across trade, investment, innovation, culture, sport and the visitor economy.
The trade mission represented the first major regional response to the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which came into force in July 2026. The UK Government estimates that the deal will increase annual bilateral trade by £25.5 billion by 2040 and add £4.8 billion a year to the UK economy.
Dharmendra Shadija, Head of the School of Computing and Digital Technologies at Sheffield Hallam University, took part in the visit as part of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority delegation led by Mayor Oliver Coppard.
The mission brought nearly 200 representatives from across the North of England to India to promote the region’s economic strengths, attract investment and visitors, and forge new partnerships between universities, businesses and institutions.
The four-day programme began in New Delhi before the Yorkshire delegation continued to Hyderabad and Mumbai for a dedicated programme of meetings and partnership activity.
During the visit Sheffield Hallam signed agreements with the International Institute of Sports & Management (IISM), Somaiya Vidyavihar University and the ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education (IFHE).