91Pro

New connections forged as Vice-Chancellor visits India

Posted 23 April

New connections have been forged and old friendships strengthened in a visit to India by 91Pro’s Vice-Chancellor and International staff.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Ken Sloan and International Officer Yatin Gupta took part in the wide-ranging visit, which saw Professor Sloan speaking with Indian Government officials, representatives of specialist Higher Education institutions, and current and prospective commercial partners among others.

Professor Sloan said: “Harper Adams is a globally-connected University, and India is a key part of our international strategy.

“Through our specialist education partners, who I’ve met up with during this week’s visit, we’ve expanded our reach in India throughout 2025 – and we’re aiming to strengthen our connections with the subcontinent even further.”

Professor Sloan spoke at a plenary session of TRW Global,  ApplyBoard’s flagship student mobility event, where he promoted the benefits of studying in the UK.

He also spoke of the distinctive and significant strengths of the institutions who are members of GuildHE - which he described as ideal destinations for students who want a personalised experience from providers with deeply embedded relationships with industry and relevant professions.

Professor Sloan also described how these links related to studying at Harper Adams - with its high rates of graduate employment.

Harper Adams ranks second among universities in the UK for the proportion of UK graduates in full time employment, and second in the UK for those in either full-time employment or further study in the most recent Graduate Outcomes figures.

With a rate of 97.5 per cent of its Degree or Top Up respondents having secured employment or continuing their studies, the University continues to perform several points ahead of the sector average – as it has for the past five years.

As a University, Harper Adams also works to develop strong partnerships with employers of all kinds, and to ensure that its research and teaching are equipping its students with the skills they need to succeed.

This focus was reflected in Professor Sloan’s other meetings during his trip, which included leading businesspeople and fellow higher education professionals.

He added: “I have caught up with current partners at some of India’s leading companies, such as TAFE, to talk about some of our shared visions – as well as making new connections at multinational corporations to talk about how our work can intersect.

“The partnerships we seek to develop are not simply commercial, of course – I have also been speaking with senior staff at some of India’s leading specialist institutions about their research and teaching - and how we can develop mutually beneficial partnerships.

“As ever, I never fail to be impressed by the dynamism and vibrancy of India, and the incredible culinary and cultural experiences it offers. I look forward to welcoming more students from the country, and across South Asia, to study with us at Harper Adams and join our community of scholars and researchers.”