New Delhi, 10 September 2026: University of Southampton Delhi welcomed students from the University of Southampton as part of the India Experiential Learning Programme (IELP-26), a 10-day learning initiative that brings together students from the UK and India to collaborate on real-world socio-environmental challenges.

The IELP is a pioneering UK–India student mobility programme developed and implemented by the University of Southampton India Centre in the UK, bringing together 33 participants including 18 students from the University of Southampton, UK, alongside 11 students from University of Southampton Delhi, and 4 research scholars from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and the University of Delhi (DU). The programme offers a distinctive model of international experiential education, enabling students from both countries fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, knowledge exchange and a deeper understanding of local challenges while engaging directly with policymakers, public institutions, practitioners, and communities.

The IELP student participants from the University of Southampton represented a diverse range of academic disciplines, including geography, medicine, law, computer science, biology, psychology, fashion marketing management, chemical engineering, accounting and finance, business management, criminology and philosophy, creating a unique interdisciplinary environment for collaboration and knowledge exchange.

As part of the IELP, students worked collaboratively on four globally relevant projects addressing key issues relevant to India: clean air and environmental sustainability; river rejuvenation and water conservation; eco-tourism and sustainable development; and constitutional values and civic engagement.

At University of Southampton Delhi, the participants presented the projects they had developed through a five-week virtual internship, showcasing their approaches to creating context-specific, community-led solutions. The projects brought together students from the University of Southampton and partner institutions in India, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, knowledge exchange and a deeper understanding of local challenges.

The themes were selected in consultation with key stakeholders representing government and non-government agencies, enabling the student teams to explore issues of national and community relevance through an interdisciplinary and locally informed approach. The four projects focused on a range of socio-environmental and civic challenges.

The first project, Promoting Clean Air in Delhi NCR: Adapting Global Best Practices for Context-Specific Solutions, explored approaches to addressing air-quality challenges in the Delhi NCR region and examined how global practices could be adapted to local conditions. The second project, Reviving the Yamuna: Community-Led Behavioural Solutions for a Living River, examined how community participation and behavioural change can contribute to the rejuvenation, conservation and long-term sustainability of the Yamuna.

The third project, Responsible Tourism in Uttarakhand: Behavioural Solutions for Sustainable Eco-Tourism in Haridwar and Rishikesh, explored sustainable approaches to tourism and the role of behavioural interventions in promoting responsible tourism across two of Uttarakhand’s prominent destinations. The fourth project, Community-Led Civic Transformation: Sustaining and Scaling the ChandraJyoti Abhiyan for Wider Social Impact, examined how community-led civic initiatives can be sustained and scaled to strengthen civic participation and generate wider social impact.

Speaking about the programme, Professor Eloise Phillips, Academic Provost, University of Southampton Delhi said, “IELP provides students with an opportunity to take learning beyond the classroom and engage with real-world challenges through cross-cultural and interdisciplinary collaboration. By bringing together students from the UK and India, the programme strengthens global perspectives while creating meaningful shared learning experiences.”

The project brought together students from different academic backgrounds and institutions, encouraging them to apply research, analytical and problem-solving skills to real-world challenges.

About University of Southampton Delhi:

University of Southampton Delhi is the first UGC-approved international university to establish a campus in India under NEP 2020. The university drives original thinking, turns knowledge into action and impact, and creates solutions to the world’s challenges.

We are ranked 17th in The Times Good University Guide 2026 (UK University Rankings) and 52^nd in the world in the TIME Magazine World University Rankings, 2026. Our academics are leaders in their fields, forging links with high-profile international businesses and organisations, and inspiring a 25,000-strong community of exceptional students from over 135 countries worldwide. Through our high-quality education, the University helps students on a journey of discovery to realise their potential and join our global network of over 200,000 alumni.

University of Southampton’s Successful Futures Pathway is an award-winning programme designed to help students evaluate their skills, align them with employer expectations, and prepare for successful career pathways. The programme also offers tailored support and access to a wide range of work experience opportunities both on and off campus. The University is globally recognised for its strong career outcomes, backed by a proven track record in graduate employability and industry engagement. According to the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022, it ranks among the top 110 institutions worldwide for employability. The University is also listed among the top 15 universities in the UK by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025, and features among the top 10 UK universities most targeted by leading employers, as reported in The Graduate Market 2023.

Notes to Editors:
To learn more about University of Southampton Delhi, please visit:
https://www.delhi.southampton.ac.uk/

For further information, please contact:
University of Southampton Delhi: press@soton.ac.uk
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