Kolkata-based TCG Crest University Announces Global Expansion Plans with Research Bases in UK, Japan and the US

Main Article
Wed, Jan 21, 02:26 AM IST

Kolkata-based TCG Crest University, a research-focused deemed university backed by The Chatterjee Group (TCG), has announced bold plans to expand its global footprint with proposed research bases in the United Kingdom, Japan, and the United States, while also scaling its presence across southern, western, and northern India in the coming years.

 

Announcing the expansion, Chancellor Purnendu Chatterjee, Chairman of The Chatterjee Group, said the vision is to build a new-age global research university that bridges the gap between traditional academic institutions and corporate research organisations.

 

“We want to create a global research university that sits between the two, where deep and meaningful research can be carried out at scale, without being constrained by legacy systems or short-term commercial pressures,” Chatterjee said.

 

A Research-First University Model

 

Established in 2020, TCG Crest University is a Section 8 not-for-profit institution built on a distinctive research-first philosophy. Unlike conventional universities that begin with undergraduate programmes, TCG Crest adopted a reverse education model, starting with PhD programmes, followed by specialised master’s courses, and planning undergraduate programmes at a later stage.

 

The university was structured around five to six specialised research centres, enabling focused, interdisciplinary research from the outset. Currently, TCG Crest operates across five schools covering mathematical and natural sciences, health, environment and sustainability, and humanities & social sciences.

 

Global Expansion with Kolkata at the Core

 

As part of its overseas expansion, TCG Crest is targeting a UK launch by 2026, with an initial focus on Artificial Intelligence for Healthcare—a sector chosen for its scale, societal impact, and long-term relevance. Over time, the university plans to expand into frontier domains such as quantum technologies.

 

Despite its global ambitions, officials clarified that Kolkata will remain the central hub of the university’s operations, reinforcing the city’s growing stature as a centre for advanced research and innovation.

 

According to TCG Group President Jeremy Ranjan Ghose, the university also plans to significantly scale its research community.

 

“Our aim is to grow the number of PhD scholars from around 150 currently in Kolkata to nearly 1,000 scholars over time,” Ghose said.

 

Key Research Focus Areas

 

TCG Crest University is currently driving research across several high-impact and future-facing domains, including:

 

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
  • Healthcare & Life Sciences
  • Quantum Computing
  • Affordable and Sustainable Batteries
  • Food and Agriculture Innovation

 

The planned international presence is expected to enhance global collaboration, provide access to a wider pool of researchers, and strengthen cross-border research partnerships.

 

Sustainable Funding & Talent-Led Growth

 

For its UK operations, the university is moving towards a tripartite funding model, with long-term support expected to come equally from:

 

  • The TCG strategy group
  • Other philanthropic contributors
  • Government-funded research institutions

 

In India, TCG Crest plans to extend beyond eastern India and establish research centres across other regions as part of its long-term growth strategy.

 

Importantly, Chatterjee emphasised that expansion will be organic and talent-driven, rather than guided by fixed investment targets.

 

“Our growth will depend on our ability to attract senior and mid-career researchers. The quality of people we bring in will determine the pace and scale of expansion,” he said.

 

Specialised Education for the Future

 

Looking ahead, Mentor Malabika Sarkar announced that specialised master’s programmes will begin from 2026, moving away from traditional disciplines.

 

“We will not offer conventional MSc programmes like biology or physics. Instead, we will focus on specialised courses such as an MSc in Neuroscience,” Sarkar said.

 

Undergraduate programmes are also planned for the future and will be redesigned to align with evolving academic, industry, and research needs.

 

Kolkata’s Growing Role in Global Knowledge Leadership

 

TCG Crest University’s expansion marks another significant milestone for Kolkata’s academic and innovation ecosystem. With a strong research-first foundation and a global outlook, the university is positioning itself and the city at the forefront of next-generation research and knowledge creation.