Pioneering the Future of Indian Sporting Excellence: University of Exeter and IIT Delhi Lead the Way

A bold new era for Indian sport is being shaped by a pioneering collaboration between the University of Exeter and the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT Delhi). Focused on elite performance, injury prevention, and sports science innovation, this partnership will combine expertise on athlete training, sports healthcare, and biomechanics, driving India’s push towards global sporting excellence and developing new innovations for the international sporting community.

With IIT-Delhi’s distinguished track record in biomedical engineering, healthcare, and entrepreneurship increasingly being applied to sport and the University of Exeter ranked #1 in the UK’s Research Excellence Framework for Sport, Exercise, and Nutrition Science and top 30 in the world (QS Subject Rankings), the institutions are uniting their world-leading expertise to drive cutting-edge research, industry collaborations, and education initiatives.

President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Exeter, Professor Lisa Roberts, highlighted why combining the strengths of both institutions in biomedical engineering, sport science, and healthcare innovation is critical to accelerate India’s rise as a global sporting powerhouse:

“At Exeter, we have worked with record-breaking marathon runners, Olympic athletes, and champion teams across cricket, rugby, and hockey. IIT Delhi’s innovation in fields including biomechanics, healthcare, and rehabilitation sciences is really impressive and complement Exeter’s applied sport science expertise perfectly.

“As India looks to enhance its global sporting impact—and potentially host an Olympic Games in the future—we are thrilled to share our expertise and collaborate with IIT Delhi and Indian industry leaders to push the boundaries of sporting excellence.”

A Strategic Partnership to Propel India’s Sporting Success

This collaboration was showcased at the inaugural IIT Delhi-Exeter Joint Symposium on Sports Healthcare Science and Engineering, held from January 30-31 and hosted by IIT Delhi’s state-of-the-art Centre for Biomedical Engineering. The event brought together leaders from academia, industry, and government to explore how science and technology can be harnessed to enhance athlete performance, rehabilitation, and injury prevention.

The symposium culminated in a high-profile reception at the UK High Commissioner’s Residence in Delhi, attended by Christina Scott, UK Deputy High Commissioner to India, Professor James Gomes, Dean of International at IIT Delhi, and Professor Lisa Roberts, President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Exeter.

Professor Mark Wilson, Head of the Department of Public Health and Sport Science at Exeter, emphasised the partnership’s transformative impact. He said: “India is already home to some of the most exciting sporting competitions in the world. Now, with a growing focus on sport science and elite performance, this collaboration will unlock new innovations in biomechanics, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement. The IIT Delhi-Exeter Joint Symposium has catalysed a new wave of opportunities, and we are excited for what’s to come.”

A Long-Term Commitment to Indian Sport

The Indian sporting sector is one of the fastest growing in the world. The Indian Government and industry bodies are investing heavily in the growth of sport in the country, recognising both the positive societal impacts which sport can have and attempting to develop India as a major sporting power across a broader range of athletic disciplines.

Building on a formal partnership agreement signed in January 2024, Exeter and IIT Delhi’s collaborative approach was recently strengthened when the two institutions signed a strategic partnership with a thematic focus on Sport Science, Elite Performance, and Rehabilitation, looking at combining expertise in biomedical engineering, healthcare, and sport science.

As India’s sporting ambitions continue to soar, this dynamic partnership will serve as a cornerstone for research, education, and industry engagement, ensuring athletes, coaches, and sports professionals have access to world-class expertise and innovations.