London:
Thirty-two Indian students visited the Queen's University Belfast (QUB) as part of a scholarship programme to develop research leaders of the future.
The students from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Bengal Engineering and Science University (BESU) and Amity University spent three weeks at Queen's University.
The 'India Welcome Scheme' has been successful and the university plans to extend the programme next year.
"It has now been expanded to take more than 30 students in its second year," an official release said.
Queen's is also currently running a pilot project with several schools in Delhi and Kolkata, including La Martiniere, Kolkata; Modern High School, Kolkata; GD Goenka Public School, Delhi and Sri Ram, Delhi.
"I am delighted that through our 'India Welcome Scheme', some of the best Indian students are now having the opportunity to work alongside specialist researchers in the vibrant and international setting that is Queen's", M Satish Kumar, Director of Queen's India initiative said.
"We hope our new pilot scheme with schools in Delhi and Kolkata will eventually increase students' chances of pursuing their chosen disciplines and accessing degree pathways in the United Kingdom which will open up new career opportunities for the future", he added.