Raymond Cheng, PhD DPA DALS DHum(Hon) FRSA FRSPH FBCS

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒&𝐓 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 The 3rd meeting of Prime Minister’s Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) recommended the concept of Science & Technology (S&T) Clusters, recognising the need for local innovation consortia, where academia, industry and government agencies could converge around region-specific goals. Launched in 2020, by the Office of PSA, the S&T Clusters have been established as formal umbrella structures for S&T stakeholders in various regions to come together and drive a purpose-driven partnership, whilst having better synergy and retaining their autonomy. Currently, eight S&T Clusters, each with themes specific to its local needs, are present across India: → Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone Limited (AMTZ) - Vizag  → BeST - Bengaluru Science and Technology Cluster → Bhubaneswar City Knowledge Innovation Cluster Foundation (BCKIC) → DRIIV: Delhi Research Implementation and Innovation  → Jodhpur City Knowledge and Innovation Foundation (JCKIC) → Panjab University – IIT Ropar Regional Accelerator for Holistic Innovations (PI-RAHI: Northern Region S&T Cluster) → Pune Knowledge Cluster (PKC),  → Research and Innovation Circle of Hyderabad (RICH) Know more about S&T Clusters on OPSA’s website site: https://lnkd.in/emeGxkX    Dr (Mrs.) Parvinder Maini | Dr.Vishal Choudhary | Vivek Kumar | Shefali Uttam #SandTClusters

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The rise and rise of Asia's universities: the results of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 signal a major shift in the geopolitics of knowledge and innovation - World Economic Forum. While mainland China’s top two flagship universities have held their positions (Tsinghua University in 12th place and Peking University in 13th overall), 18 Chinese universities have achieved their best-ever positions. This includes Zhejiang University (up eight places to 39th) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University (up 12 places to 40th). Both have moved into the top 40 for the first time, overtaking America’s Georgia Institute of Technology (joint 41st) and Canada’s McGill University (joint 41st) and University of British Columbia (45th) in the process. China now has five universities in the top 40, up from three last year, and 35 in the top 500 – which is more than Australia. Every one of Hong Kong’s six universities ranked last year has risen, led by The University of Hong Kong, which moved up to 33rd from 35th. It has also added two new entrants to the rankings this year, securing a record six universities in the top 200, as well as two in the top 350. South Korea rises significantly in all four research quality metrics and has 10 universities rising, and only four slipping. It now has a record four higher education institutions in the top 100. And beyond the East Asian powerhouses, new geographical centres of research and innovation are emerging. In South East Asia, Indonesia is the most improved of all larger nations in the world in terms of its overall rankings score, while Malaysia has six rising universities and just one slipping. University of Malaya entered the world top 250 this year, while Sunway University rocketed up into the top 350. Thailand’s flagship, Chulalongkorn University, has jumped into the world top 600 for the first time. More on the rise of Asia (and the relative decline of the West) on the #WEF blog here: https://lnkd.in/eYmSxqE7 #THEUniRankings #THEWAS

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UCL has partnered with the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) to launch the UK’s first Global Industrial Technology Cooperation Centre (GITCC). The GITCC is the first centre of its kind be hosted by a UK university, and is dedicated to fostering industrial research collaboration with Korea. The initiative draws on UCL’s experience as a key facilitator for major research and development projects. The centre will focus, in particular, on ‘next generation mobility’ projects, drawing on UCL’s expertise in advanced propulsion technologies in the environments of land, sea and air/space. UK and Korean partners will collaborate on wide-ranging projects and technologies, including advancing hydrogen and sustainable mobility technologies, and decarbonising ocean shipping. The initiative will create a pipeline for future partnerships and investment in the UK by Korean companies helping to build the industries of the future. Professor Geraint Rees, Vice Provost of Research, Innovation and Global Engagement, described the centre as a “landmark achievement in international academic-industry collaboration”. “UCL’s involvement in the GITCC exemplifies our commitment to lead and support transformative global research that bridges countries and disciplines, and addresses urgent global challenges," he said. The UCL GITCC will operate as a cross-faculty platform, led by UCL Innovation & Enterprise. Find out more about the partnership: https://bit.ly/46fULVl #KEF5 UCL UCL News UCL Engineering UCL Research UCL Global Engagement UCL Mechanical Engineering UCL Chemical Engineering

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“Access alone is no longer enough. The real opportunity lies in enabling learners to thrive — to gain skills, stay employable, and grow throughout life.” – Prof Dr Lily Chan Speaking at the 2025 International Conference on Open and Innovative Education (ICOIE), Prof Chan, Chief Executive & Vice Chancellor of WOU, redefined the role of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) in an AI-driven, rapidly changing economy. Her vision calls for ODL to move beyond widening access — towards learner-driven, skills-focused ecosystems that deliver real, measurable impact. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ezuEN3C9 #DigitalTransformation #OpenEducation #LifelongLearning #FutureOfWork #SkillsDevelopment #HigherEdInnovation

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