The University of Cambridge has evinced keen interest on collaborations with research institutions in Bangalore and also with the departments of IT&BT and Commerce and Industries.

A six-member delegation led by University of Cambridge vice-chancellor Leszek Borysiewicz met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and top government officials at Vidhana Soudha on Monday and held discussions for about 30 minutes.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Commerce and Industries Department Principal Secretary M N Vidyashankar, who had arranged the interaction, said the delegation also sought collaboration in research and development and innovation across a wide spectrum of subjects, particularly in the areas of life sciences and biotechnology. He said the delegation showed interest in tie-ups with the National Centre for Biological Sciences and International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore.

The State government will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the university after clearance by the ministry of external affairs, Vidyashankar said.

The Bangalore-Cambridge Innovation Network was launched last year in a bid to strengthen the ties between the  researchers at Indian Institute of Science and University of Cambridge.

The network aims to bring together academics, businesses, researchers and entrepreneurs from both the cities, leveraging each other’s ecosystem for mutual benefit.