Scottish development International, the international arm of Scottish Enterprise, has inked two strategic pacts between Scottish and Indian Universities. These include agreements between University of Dundee and Bangalore BioCluster; and the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) with Annamalai University and AMET University, for research in lifesciences and marine biotechnology respectively.

University of Dundee signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bangalore BioCluster to create a joint Drug Discovery Center. They will tackle antimicrobial resistance. The Drug Discovery center will focus on effective prevention and treatment of the ever increasing range of infections caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses, and fungi, hospital-acquired infections and in major diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria.

SAMS also exchanged a MoU with Annamalai University and AMET University to cooperate more closely in education and research.

SAMS, a partner of the University of the Highlands and Islands and of the United Nations University aims to develop faculty, student and knowledge exchange programs, co-supervised PhDs, and joint research projects.

SAMS' collaboration with Annamalai university will focus on developing knowledge and skills for sustainable management of the coastal environment, including aquaculture. With AMET University, the focus will be on marine biotechnology and microbiology.

Mr Joanne Allday, marketing manager, Education at SAMS, said, "The exchange of information and funding is now being sought to support faculty and student exchanges, to develop long-lasting relationships for the future."