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Celebrating UCL’s India connections through Summer School and campaign launch
11 June 2026
UCL President & Provost Dr Michael Spence connected with students, alumni and supporters from across India for the third edition of the UCL India Summer School and the Delhi launch of the university’s new philanthropic and engagement campaign “Here, it will happen”.
As the university marks its 200th anniversary in 2026, the week offered the opportunity to mark UCL’s historic connections to India and the impactful work of UCL’s Indian community.
Sixty pre-university students from across the country travelled to the capital for the third edition of the UCL India Summer School, held from 1-6 June at The British School New Delhi.
More than 140 alumni, donors, academics, and friends then joined the campaign launch at the Imperial Hotel Delhi, with Vice-President Advancement Angharad Milencovic, Professor Andy Nisbet (Executive Dean, Faculty of Engineering Sciences), Professor Priti Parikh (Vice-Dean International, UCL Bartlett), Professor John Hurst (Pro-Vice-Provost International Health and Vice-Dean International Medical Sciences) and Professor Saurabh Jain (UCL Ophthalmology) joining Dr Spence to welcome the guests.
The event showcased UCL’s impactful relationship with India spanning nearly two centuries, from welcoming the first Indian students to the UK, to today’s deep collaborations with institutions like IIT Delhi, AIIMS and IISc.
Dr Spence also joined offer holder events during the trip, to meet prospective UCL students and their families.
The Summer School brought together leading UCL academics and The British School New Delhi's commitment to world-class learning, offering students an immersive introduction to university-level study.
This year's participants explored specialist pathways spanning law, psychology, sustainability, urban studies and technology, reflecting the breadth of disciplines championed by UCL.
The programme leads were Dr François Sicard (UCL Arts & Sciences); Dr Pushpa Arabindoo (UCL Geography); Dr Izzy Bishop (UCL Biosciences); Professor James Kilner (UCL Institute of Neurology) and Dr Isra Black (VDI Laws). The Summer School programme is led by Dr Michael Collins (UCL History).
The annual event has become a flagship collaboration between the two institutions, providing students with the opportunity to engage with challenging academic concepts, explore potential fields of study and experience the intellectual rigour of a leading global university.
With class sizes limited to 12 students, participants benefited from close interaction with the academics through lectures, workshops and discussion-based learning. The programme encouraged students to think critically, collaborate across disciplines and engage with ideas extending beyond the traditional school curriculum.
Dr Spence gave a valedictory speech on the final day and presented the students with their certificates. He said: "The UCL India Summer School reflects a genuine partnership between UCL and The British School New Delhi, two institutions committed to curiosity, high-level critical thinking, and solving real-world problems. We were delighted to give sixty pre-university students from across India an experience of research-led multidisciplinary learning and a taste of what it is like to study with us."
Vanita Uppal OBE, Director of The British School New Delhi, added: "What has been most inspiring this week is not simply the academic work produced by the students, but the curiosity, openness and enthusiasm with which they have approached learning. They have explored complex ideas, engaged in thoughtful discussion and stepped beyond the familiar in pursuit of new perspectives.
“As UCL celebrates its bicentenary, we are proud of our committed partnership rooted in our shared values and a firm belief that education should be both ambitious and accessible. We believe that education has the power not only to open doors, but to broaden horizons, challenge assumptions and inspire young people to engage thoughtfully with the world around them. The UCL India Summer School is a powerful example of how a shared vision, grounded in our intent of building a better world, can help prepare students for the future.”
The continuing success of the UCL India Summer School reflects the shared commitment of UCL and The British School New Delhi to expanding access to exceptional educational opportunities, and nurturing the next generation of globally engaged learners and leaders.
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Featured: Dr Michael Spence with UCL staff and pre-university students on stage at the 2026 UCL India Summer School; Guests at the Delhi launch of the UCL campaign Here, it will happen; Dancers performing on stage at the Delhi campaign launch; Dr Michael Spence with guests at the Delhi campaign launch; Professor James Kilner with students at the UCL India Summer School; Dr Izzy Bishop with audience members listening at the UCL India Summer School; Students listening in the audience at UCL India Summer School; One of the UCL India Summer School groups presenting to attendees.