University of East London (UEL) begins India Tour with Sustainability Conference in Chennai
• Focus on Sustainable Education and Industry Partnerships
• Showcasesgreen Sugarcrete Technology for environment friendly building solutions
Chennai, India (November 18, 2024): The University of East London (UEL) today hosted a groundbreaking Sustainability Solutions Conference at the Taj Wellington, Chennai. This event marked a significant milestone in UEL's multi-city India tour, which aims to foster sustainable education, promote innovative technologies, and strengthen partnerships between academia and industry.
The conference showcased UEL's commitment to sustainable solutions, with a particular focus on key innovations such as Sugarcrete®. This low-carbon building material, made from sugarcane waste, has the potential to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the construction industry.UEL and India partners are taking a substantive lead in sustainable development by using Sugarcrete as a potentially major manufacturing solution for India and have successfully constructed an entire school with this technology.
The University also reiterated its commitment to strengthening its ties with India and is actively exploring opportunities to establish a physical presence in the country. By partnering with leading Indian institutions, UEL aims to address the growing demand for skilled professionals and contribute to India's research and innovation.
Expert panels convened to discuss pressing issues such as climate change, sustainable energy, and circular economy. Renowned speakers from UEL, Siemens India, and other leading organizations shared insights and best practices, providing valuable insights into the latest trends and challenges in the field of sustainability.
The conference provided ample opportunities for attendees to network with industry leaders, academic experts, and policymakers. This networking facilitated the exchange of ideas, fostered collaborations, and paved the way for future partnerships.
According to Professor Amanda J. Broderick, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of East London, “India is a key market for UEL, and our India Tour 2024 is a testament to our commitment to fostering strong partnerships and driving sustainable innovation in addition to being present here in physically, a possibility we are exploring actively. Chennai, as a vibrant hub of innovation and sustainability, is the perfect starting point for our tour. By showcasing groundbreaking solutions like Sugarcrete®and fostering strong partnerships with Indian institutions, we aim to empower the next generation of Indian leaders to address pressing environmental challenges and create a more sustainable future.”
The University of East London (UEL) India Tour 2024, a collaborative initiative with Siemens and T-Hub, is a significant step towards advancing sustainability in higher education and fostering impactful partnerships between academia and industry in India. This multi-city tour is designed to strengthen academic and industry collaborations, promote sustainable education, and inspire the next generation of global leaders.
UEL's commitment to international collaboration and its recognition of India's role as a global powerhouse have driven this initiative. By partnering with leading Indian institutions and industry players, UEL aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry, enabling students to gain practical experience and prepare for future careers. The tour will explore various themes, including sustainable development, technological innovation, and global citizenship.
The University of East London's India Tour 2024 continues with a strategic roundtable on HR innovation in Hyderabad on November 19th, followed by Women in Leadership Awards ceremony in Vadodara on November 22nd.
About the University of East London
The core mission of the University of East London, founded in 1898, is to be a careers-first university and engine for social mobility, committed to diversifying the talent pipeline and providing students with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the continuous next.
UEL is uniquely positioned as an anchor institution in east London with a global outlook, focused on reimagining the role of higher education in support of a healthier, fairer and more sustainable world. The University is home to more than 40,000 students (both on campus and via partners) representing over 160 nationalities, with campuses in Stratford and the Royal Albert Dock in east London’s Docklands Enterprise Zone.
UEL is more than halfway through Vision 2028, its 10-year strategy, and has been recognised for its pioneering strategies and programmes, including being named The Times & The Sunday Times University of the Year for Teaching Quality, Good University Guide 2025. UEL was also 1 st in London, 1 st in England and 3d in the UK for overall graduates’ positivity in the National Student Survey 2024; the highest ranked, most improved university, now 9 th in London, in the Guardian University Guide 2025; and shortlisted for ‘University of the Year’ in the 2023 Times Higher Education Awards.
In 2025, UEL celebrates a Year of Health, which focuses on tackling health inequalities, promoting health and wellbeing and driving forward innovation in healthcare, centred around the opening of a new state-of-the-art, community-focused Health Campus in Stratford.
