{"id":27517,"date":"2018-10-15T17:32:56","date_gmt":"2018-10-15T16:32:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theasiantoday.com\/?p=27517"},"modified":"2018-10-15T17:32:56","modified_gmt":"2018-10-15T16:32:56","slug":"birmingham-welcomes-prospective-indian-partners-to-clean-cold-gathering","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theasiantoday.com\/index.php\/2018\/10\/15\/birmingham-welcomes-prospective-indian-partners-to-clean-cold-gathering\/","title":{"rendered":"Birmingham welcomes prospective Indian partners to \u2018clean cold\u2019 gathering"},"content":{"rendered":"

The University of Birmingham welcomed environmentalists and industrialists in India to a key event exploring ways of advancing the use of \u2018clean cold\u2019 technology to meet in a sustainable way the rising demand for cooling.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Representatives from the University\u2019s Indian \u2018clean cold\u2019 partner <\/span>Shakti Foundation<\/span>, the National Clean Cold Centre for Development (NCCD), and CEOs from industry and regional organisations gathered at the British High Commission in New Delhi.<\/span><\/p>\n

Professor Robin Mason, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) co-hosted the networking lunch with Rhiannon Harries,<\/b> Director UK Trade and Innovation at the British High Commission India to explore opportunities for further joint projects with partners.<\/span><\/p>\n

The event followed an agreement signed this year by the University of Birmingham and the State Government of Haryana to develop centres of excellence for clean cold chains that will help to map a blueprint and delivery plan for sustainable cooling across the north Indian state.<\/span><\/p>\n

Effective refrigeration is essential to preserve food and medicine. It underpins industry and economic growth, is key to sustainable urbanisation and provides a ladder out of rural poverty. It makes much of the world bearable – or even safe – to live in.<\/span><\/p>\n

The signing of the Haryana agreement followed the world\u2019s first-ever Congress on Clean Cold held at the University, which was supported by the University of Birmingham India Institute. The India Institute also sponsored the first Birmingham-Haryana clean cold workshop last year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Professor Robin Mason commented: \u201cThe University of Birmingham is a civic university with a global outlook. There exists a special bond between Birmingham and India which stretches back to the arrival of our first Indian students in 1909.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe launch this year of the University of Birmingham <\/i>India Institute<\/i><\/span>\u00a0affirms our deep and continued commitment to engagement with this great country. I am delighted to welcome so many influential people today.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTogether with them, we are looking to grow our contribution to Indian society; as our researchers forge links with their counterparts, we hope to change millions of lives for the better.\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

The networking lunch followed a visit to the University of Birmingham by the British Deputy High Commissioner Andrew Ayre from Chandigarh \u2013 a keen advocate of the University\u2019s drive to support development of a sustainable cooling chain in India.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mr Ayre was welcomed to the University by Professor Mason and, as well as meeting Professor Toby Peters, Birmingham\u2019s world-leading expert on the cold economy<\/span>. Mr Ayre also met a number of the University\u2019s key academic experts to discuss engagement with India, including:<\/span><\/p>\n