The University of Westminster welcomed Gareth Wynn Owen, British Deputy High Commissioner to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, India, on a visit to the School of Life Sciences. During his visit, he met with students, colleagues and senior leaders to gain deeper insights into the University’s Gene Editors of the Future programme.
The visit, organised by Dr Kalpana Surendranath, Leader of the Genome Engineering Laboratory and Reader in Genome Engineering, began with Gareth Wynn Owen’s interaction with students involved in the Gene Editors of the Future programme as well as Bolashaq Westminster Biotechnology Research Internship research scholars Dr Aigul Dinmukhamedov and Dr Nazym Tleumbetova.
Gene Editors of the Future aims to equip the next generation of scientists with advanced gene editing skills along with a diverse skill set essential for navigating an increasingly competitive career landscape in life sciences and biotechnology. It also gives students the chance to work with the Nobel Prize-winning technology CRISPR and bridge innovation with curiosity and ambition.
Professor Dibyesh Anand, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement and Employability and Co-chair of the University’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee, and Stephen Wallis, Director of Transnational Education, joined the delegation to discuss the University’s current activities in India. Dr Ian Locke, Assistant Head of the School of Life Sciences, highlighted the school’s teaching and research activities along with the role of initiatives such as the Gene Editors of the Future in the extracurricular development of the University’s next generation of scientists.
The visit also included a comprehensive tour of the School of Life Sciences’ state-of-the-art facilities supporting cutting-edge research in several disciplines, including molecular and cellular biology, fermentation and biotechnology and human health and performance.
Addressing the visit, the Deputy High Commissioner said: “It was wonderful to visit the University and meet Dr Surendranath and her fantastic Gene Editors of the Future. I was really impressed to hear about her team’s work that ensure students are equipped with the knowledge and understanding to utilise this generation-defining gene-editing technology. I look forward to exploring with Dr Surendranath how we can deepen her links with Telangana, a leading life sciences hub in South Asia.”
Professor Dibyesh Anand added: “We are delighted to have hosted the British Deputy High Commissioner. The Gene Editors of the Future programme represents our commitment to equipping students with cutting-edge knowledge and skills, strengthening global partnerships, and pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery.”
Professor John Murphy, Professor of Biomedical Sciences, commented: “The Gene Editors of the Future programme’s activities have extended to different institutions in India, and we were very pleased to meet with the British Deputy High Commissioner to explore further opportunities to expand and deepen our collaborations and partnerships in Telangana and Tamil Nadu.”
The Gene Editors of the Future programme directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Learn more about the School of Life Sciences at Westminster.
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