New Delhi, Oct 25 (IANS): The UK-based Loughborough University has announced rebranding of its business school as it aims to become the first-choice business school for purpose-led people and organisations.

As part of a major branding makeover, the university renamed its School of Business and Economics to 'Loughborough Business School'.

Renowned globally for its sports teaching and student experience, the varsity was also the training ground for India's Olympic Javelin Champion Neeraj Chopra in 2023 season.

In an exclusive chat with IANS, Sarah Bostock, Associate Director of Marketing and Advancement at Loughborough University, said that the institution enrolled its highest-ever intake of more than 700 Indian students in 2023, which makes nearly 900 Indian students on its campus currently.

She added that the university identifies India as a "strategic priority country" in line with its vision to "progress with purpose".

"As part of our vision 'Progress with Purpose,' we see ourselves as a first-choice business school for purpose-led people and organisations. Our mission at Loughborough entails reshaping our learning environment and delivering new student experiences. This rebranding will help us raise our profile and reputation globally, as well as open up more avenues for international students through business partnerships," said Bostock, who is in charge of raising Loughborough University's global profile and reputation.

In India, Loughborough has well-established links with several prestigious education institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology of Bombay, Delhi, Roorkee and Madras and emerging links with institutions such as Anna University, Chennai and Symbiosis International University.

"We have long-standing links with India. Our first-ever student from India graduated in 1937. We will continue to strengthen our existing partnerships in India by providing access to career guidance, alumni mentoring and work-based learning opportunities to students," Bostock said.

To further enhance their strategy for India, she said they have appointed two special regional envoys from amongst their senior academic community, Professor Bala Vaidhyanathan and Dr Kirti Ruikar.

"India is currently our second-largest international grouping and the largest for postgraduate-taught students. We will strive to deliver accelerated learning and professional development opportunities for prospective students and partners. Ultimately, as thought leaders and innovators, we want to enable learners in creating ethical, sustainable and technologically advanced businesses of the future," Bostock said.

Loughborough University's new brand identity for its business school comes at a time when the next generation of startups and corporate firms the world over are seeking innovative business models and strategies to help them achieve success.

In India, Loughborough University has also contributed towards the design of a high-performance sport centre in Ahmedabad and recruited 18 PhD students for its first overseas split-site PhD programme on the built environment, hosted in partnership with NICMAR University.