Índia – International Partnerships 

Higher education enrolment in India has exploded over the past decade, and doubled from 14 million to 28 million students between 2007 and 2013  and today India has the world’s second-largest population of higher education students (ICEF).
This growth creates new opportunities to straighten the barriers between Europe and Asia, and bring both continents and their Institutions together.

Taking this in consideration, the Polytechnic of Leiria sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Karnatak Universty from India. The Karnatak Universty delegation was headed by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Pramod Gai.
This collaboration stablish the possibility of collaboration in several areas, namely in mobility of students, professors and researchers, on development of joint research and innovation project, joint degrees, as well on student recruitment directly from the Karnatak University.
Indian students that are studying in Ipleiria are increasing each year, meaning that this kind of institutional collaborations could be the begging of good foundation with the purpose of building a world class research. 
This agreement, which was now signed, begins with the organization of an international congress in 2015 between the Polytechnic of Leiria, through center for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development (CDRsp) and Karnatak University held in in Dharwad, India. The 2nd edition of the International Conference on Direct Digital Manufacturing and Polymers will be held in Marinha Grande in May 2017.