Chancellor of Garden City University, Dr Joseph V.G., and Chief
Reputation and Stakeholder Relations Officer, Joan Concannon at the University
of York, present the Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions.
Demonstrating their shared commitment to environmental sustainability, GCU and
the University of York exchanged an MoU at a special Networking Dinner in
Bengaluru held in the presence of Mayor David Skaith, Shri Sharath Bache Gowda,
MLA, Hoskote and GCU Chancellor Dr. Joseph V.G, to establish the proposed Bio-Resource
Centre of Excellence at GCU’s Hoskote campus. The MoU, sets out the
ambition to accelerate research into green technology and sustainable
agriculture. The new MoU sets out the intent to begin a pilot study focused on
anaerobic digestion and waste recovery systems, led by Professor James Chong,
Director of the Centre of Excellence for Anaerobic Digestion (CEAD) - a
research centre established between the University of York and Yorkshire Water.
Renewable energy
Anaerobic digestion turns waste materials into renewable energy and
nutrient-rich fertiliser and is seen as a crucial technology to increase the
sustainability of industry and reduce carbon emissions. The new project will create technologies that
are optimised for their location, making them suitable for both British and
Indian environments, and test them to recover more energy from waste, such as
food waste, wastewaters, and animal slurries.
York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority (YNYCA) aims to use
research from the trial to support its broader strategy to become a
carbon-negative region.
Shared challenge
Professor James Chong, Director of CEAD and Head of the University of
York’s Department of Biology, said: "Turning waste into energy is a shared
challenge for Yorkshire and for fast-growing regions like Karnataka.
“Our BioYorkshire initiative in the UK, alongside partners in
Bengaluru, can work together to set up a real-world testing facility, providing
us with a comparison of these challenges across two countries.
“This should then give us evidence on how well anaerobic digestion
technologies perform and what they cost, giving businesses, governments, and
investors in both countries the confidence to scale-up clean energy
solutions."
Civic engagement
Partners will work to expand high-growth sectors, including agri-tech
and clean energy, whilst establishing more regular engagement between civic
leaders, industry and academics in both regions.
GCU in Bengaluru has recently opened a new campus at Hoskote to the
east of the city, where the pilot study will be hosted, and the University will
support York experts in exploring the wider applications of anaerobic digestion
research in Karnataka.
The engagement was anchored by a high-level meeting with Shri
Priyank Kharge, Minister of Home Affairs, IT and BT, Government of Karnataka,
attended by the visiting Mayoral delegation led by Mr. David Skaith, Mayor of York and North
Yorkshire, alongside senior leadership from both universities. The meeting
advanced a Letter of Intent (LoI) with the Government of Karnataka, positioning
the University of York and its strategic local partner GCU at the center of
bilateral research, tech translation, and regional cooperation.
Unveiling a World-Class Sporting Facility: The GCU Oval
As part of the official delegation visit, Mayor David Skaith joined
the grand inauguration of the GCU Oval, Garden City University’s
state-of-the-art cricket facility situated at its Student Knowledge Park in
Hoskote. Designed to international standards, the world class ground will serve
as a premier platform for cultivating athletic excellence, hosting fixtures,
and bridging classroom learning with professional sports development.
Under the three-year Statement of Intent signed by Ms. Joan Concannon
(University of York) and Dr. Christo Joseph (GCU):
● University,
college, and grassroots cricket teams from Bengaluru and Yorkshire will
participate in reciprocal training tours, competitive exposure, and friendly
fixtures.
● Both
institutions will develop joint programmes and short courses in sports science,
sports analytics, sports management, and event operations.
Grassroots player and coaching development pathways will be
established in collaboration with regional cricket foundations and sporting
bodies across Karnataka and Yorkshire.
Leadership Perspectives
Mr. David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire:
“Our meetings in Bengaluru from fruitful discussions with Minister
Shri Priyank Kharge to visiting Garden City University demonstrate the
tremendous potential of regional collaboration. Whether through shared sporting
passions on the cricket pitch or pioneering clean-energy solutions, connecting
Yorkshire and Karnataka creates lasting value for our communities, students,
and economies.”
Mr. Sharath Bache Gowda, Member of Legislative Assembly, Government of
Karnataka
“I really didn’t think that when we met less than a year ago, we’d be
standing here formalising an agreement between Garden City University and the
University of York. It’s a true testament to the dedication of Joseph Sir, who
has spent the past two decades building a vision for a university. Today, on
about 100 acres, he has created a university that I’m sure will become a
landmark not just in Karnataka or India, but across the world. Through free scholarships
and affordable programmes, Garden City University is working to make education
accessible to everyone, especially those at the bottom of the pyramid. While we
must work at the bottom of the pyramid, we must also work at the top—and that
is what we are doing with Garden City University.”
Dr. Joseph V.G., Chancellor, Garden City University:
“Inaugurating the world-class GCU Oval and establishing our strategic
partnership with the University of York, supported by our engagements with the
Government of Karnataka and Mayor David Skaith, is a landmark moment. From
converting waste to clean energy at our proposed Bio-Resource Centre to
offering global pathways in sports science and cricket, this partnership
connects higher education directly to societal and economic impact.”
Ms. Joan Concannon, Member of the University Executive Board,
University of York:
“The University of York is proud to collaborate with Garden City
University and engage closely with the Government of Karnataka. Sport, research
translation, and sustainability provide exceptional avenues for international
cooperation, creating tangible opportunities for student mobility, joint
research, and deep UK–India institutional ties.”
Dr. Christo Joseph, FRSA, Director – Strategy and Planning, Garden
City University:
"International partnerships must produce tangible outcomes that
touch lives. Through our engagement with Minister Shri Priyank Kharge, the
inauguration of our world-class GCU Oval, and our collaborative work on
bio-resources with the University of York, we are actively turning academic
vision into practical impact for Karnataka and beyond."