Uni celebrates new signing with Indian Super League club

Staffordshire University has entered into a new Education and Community partnership with a football club almost 5000 miles away

The unique partnership with Odisha FC on India’s East Coast builds on relationships the University has forged closer to home with Stoke City FC and Port Vale FC and which have resulted in new courses, opportunities for students to gain work experience and community initiatives which engage with the fanbase.

Odisha FC began life in the Indian Super League but started a new chapter after signing an historic agreement with the government of Odisha. They have a vision of producing India’s future footballing stars and believe in nurturing young talent. Recently the Club introduced the ground-breaking Global Football Alliance, which enables them and the state of Odisha to reach out to communities around the world.

As Odisha FC’s Education and Community partner, Staffordshire University will look to work in collaboration with the state of Odisha, its colleges and universities to provide webinars and virtual learning which fits with its higher education course offer. The partnership will also work to develop student and staff exchange programmes, new education pathways and community and grassroots programmes.

Odisha FC President, Mr. Raj Athwal said, "Staffordshire University has a strong reputation in the UK for providing a high-quality, industry-focused education to students, who come from all over the UK, and overseas.

"Besides helping Odisha students, this partnership is sure to have a positive impact on the lives of people throughout the state, as well as India, providing a variety of learning opportunities."

Welcoming the new partnership, Staffordshire University Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Designate, Professor Martin Jones said: “India has always been an important market for us and we have had some excellent students come and study with us over the years. We have hosted elite students through the GREAT scholarship scheme in partnership with the British Council, and the relationship with Odisha FC is another example of how we want to work closely in India with key partners to provide opportunities for students and staff in both organisations.”

“We hope it will be a true partnership in every sense of the word, and that opportunities are developed throughout the duration of the partnership which have meaningful impact for Odisha and Staffordshire University. We share similar values in relation to social impact and widening participation and this partnership opens opportunities for true global connections to be forged.”

Maria Scrivens

Communications Manager

t: 01782 294375

m: 07766 520339

e: m.c.scrivens@staffs.ac.uk

Staffordshire University is the Connected University; connected to the needs of students, academic partners, business and society. Our main city campus in Stoke-on-Trent features excellent learning and teaching facilities and good transport links. We have specialist Centres of Excellence in Healthcare Education at Stafford and Shrewsbury.  

We were recognised with a Gold award in the 2019 Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF) for delivering consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for students.  

We were shortlisted for University of the Year at the THE Awards 2020 and were named ‘Midlands University of the Year’ at the Midlands Business Awards 2020. 
 
Staffordshire University has signed up to the Civic University Agreement, pledging to play a leading role in improving the regional economy and enhancing quality of life in local communities. We were recognised in the top 15 for social inclusion in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021. We aim to be a leading university for digital technologies building on our proud computing heritage and in 2019 launched Staffordshire University London’s Digital Institute which is committed to preparing students for careers in new and emerging tech industries. 

We are a Top 250 Young University (Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020) and are connected globally, with more than 11,000 people studying Staffordshire University degrees overseas.