Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya (File/Image courtesy: YouTube/uniwarwick) Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya (File/Image courtesy: YouTube/uniwarwick)

Eminent Indian-origin professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya has been awarded the prestigious Regius Professorship in Manufacturing by Queen Elizabeth II for his outstanding contribution in manufacturing.

“WMG, at the University of Warwick, which was founded by eminent Indian Professor Lord Bhattacharyya, has been bestowed the prestigious Regius Professorship in Manufacturing by Her Majesty the Queen,” a release said on Tuesday.

Through his career, he has advised the UK government on manufacturing, innovation, and technology, including former Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair.

Bhattacharyya, Chairman and founder of WMG, said: “Having founded WMG in 1980 to invigorate UK manufacturing, it is a wonderful honour to be bestowed upon the Group. This is recognition to every member of staff, over the last 35 years, who has contributed to our success.”

He continued, “The University of Warwick was the first to have a Professor of Manufacturing, and I started with a desk, chair and a secretary. We are now internationally-acclaimed and the largest centre for manufacturing in the world. I am immensely delighted to have been granted this prestigious Regius Professorship in Manufacturing for WMG.”

The creation of Regius Professorships falls under the Royal Prerogative, with each appointment being approved by the Queen upon Ministerial advice. Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) has been granted the Regius Professorship for its academic research which has contributed to driving growth and improving productivity. Working with global companies on collaborative research and development, WMG has enabled those companies who want to innovate to develop ground breaking products which have had a real impact on society and the economy.

Bhattacharyya, who is an IIT-Kharagpur alumnus, said it was always his aim to bridge the gap between academia and industry, and to encourage companies to think long-term by investing in skills, and research and development.

Over the last 35 years he has achieved this, but he isn’t sitting back, he’s looking to the future.

Bhattacharyya said: “We work with many international companies and SMEs all over the world on collaborative research to improve productivity, and in India with Tata Motors, TVS etc, as well as with many academic institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology, to improve the manufacturing skills base.

“We have also been very successful in attracting many inward investments in manufacturing in UK. We have ambitious plans for our future, especially with the National Automotive Innovation Centre, which will provide the next generation of skills and research for the automotive sector, and will formally open late 2017.”

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