International Institute of Sports & Management and Sheffield Hallam University to Strengthen UK–India Academic Collaboration

Published On: October 16, 2026

IISM and Sheffield Hallam University Collaboration

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The International Institute of Sports & Management (IISM), India and Sheffield Hallam University, United Kingdom, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the morning of 16th October 2026, marking a significant step towards exploring closer academic and institutional collaborations.

The following dignitaries graced the occasion at the IISM campus:

– Mr. Nilesh Kulkarni, Founder-Director – IISM

– Ms. Rasika Kulkarni, Co- Founder and Managing Director – IISM

– Mr. Jon Tunney – Executive Director for Communications, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority

– Ms. Rachel Clark – Director for Trade and Investment, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority

– Ms. Nicola Bladen – Events and Visit Manager, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority

– Mr. Dharmendra Shadija – Head of School, Computing and Digital Technologies, Sheffield Hallam University

– Mr. Lee Manterfield – Senior Commercial Banking Manager, HSBC

– Mr. Abhishek Jha – Head of Inward Investment, Western India – Department for Business, Innovation, Science & Trade

A New Chapter in the Making

The collaboration is built on IISM’s expertise in Sports Management and Sports Science and Sheffield Hallam University’s strong research accumen and portfolio across sports engineering, applied research and the wider sports university.

The event began with the cereminious Lighting of the Lamp, followed by felicitation of the dignitaries by the Founders of IISM.

Adding a special touch to the occasion, Mr. Jon Tunney, Executive Director for Communications, presented the IISM founders with a signed cricket bat featuring the signatures of English cricketers Joe Root and Michael Vaughan.

Mr. Oliver Coppard, Mayor of South Yorkshire, also extended his best wishes for the collaboration, stating:

“South Yorkshire shares a love of cricket with India, so it is fitting that Sheffield Hallam has renewed its MoU with the International Institute of Sports and Management. I look forward to this relationship going from strength to strength and can promise any Indian students coming to South Yorkshire a warm welcome and a brilliant student experience.”

A Shared Vision for the Future

Following the opening ceremony, the dignitaries addressed the gathering and shared their perspectives on the significance of the MoU and the opportunities it could create for both institutions.

There are three possible aims to be achieved through the means of this collaboration.

Joint Research and Knowledge Exchange
Opportunities for Student and Staff Mobility
Exploration of progression pathways and potential collaborative academic provision.

Mr. Nilesh Kulkarni, IISM’s Founder-Director addressed the benefits of this step for India, He said:

“With India growing at a tremendous pace, the country is opening it’s doors for foreign collaborations, subsidies and knowledge sharing. With Sheffield’s repository in research and India’s growing pace in sports, we look forward to taking this collaboration ahead and reaching a better prospectus.”

Mr. Jon Tunney, Executive Director for Communications, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority shared:

“As someone who has visited India for the first time, I find the country, as the cliché goes, very exciting and welcoming. I am very excited about the student engagement. I hope this collaboration brings great results in the future and excited for what’s ahead!”

Mr. Dharmendra Shadija, Head of School, Computing and Digital Technologies, Sheffield Hallam University said:

“The sheer size of the population in India, the research data that can be collected is amazing. There is a lot we at the university, can learn about the sports business and science in India. Sheffield has spent considerable time in deepening scientific research. Through this partnership, we want to learn about the two worlds and give our students the opporunity to explore different stories of the same role”

Looking Ahead

The MoU represents an important step towards strengthening academic engagement between India and the United Kingdom, bringing together complementary strengths in sports management, sports science, and research.

For IISM, the collaboration presents an opportunity to explore international knowledge exchange and engage with global research expertise. For Sheffield Hallam University, it opens avenues to learn from India’s evolving sports landscape and explore potential opportunities for cross-border academic engagement.

Important Note: The MoU outlines areas for exploration and does not announce confirmed student exchange places, courses, or research projects. Any specific initiatives will be subject to further discussion and agreement between the two institutions.