Birmingham City University - Latest News

School of Law invests in eLearning resources

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The School of Law at Birmingham City University has invested £18,000 in a new state-of-the-art eLearning Resource Centre. The centre was officially opened by Professor Fiona Church, Executive Dean, Faculty of Education, Law and Social Sciences at a ceremony where students and staff were able to come and try out the new equipment, which includes laptops, flip cameras, voice recorders, headsets, webcams, a digital video recorder and a state-of-the-art Smartboard and electronic notepad. With features such as Skype Group Video Calling, the school will be able to keep in touch with students carrying out internships in the USA, allowing tutors to provide effective support while the students are abroad. Students will be able book the room at...
http://www.bcu.ac.uk/news-events/news/school-of-law-invests-in-elearning-resources

Artistic Director of Birmingham Opera Company to receive honours

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The founder and Artistic Director of Birmingham Opera Company will receive an honorary doctoral degree from Birmingham City University next week in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Arts in the city. Graham Vick CBE founded the Birmingham Opera Company in 1987, and has established a radical approach to seeking new audiences through site specific and participatory productions; for example, in 2009 he directed a performance of Othellothe production saw over 300 professional and community performers take over a disused aluminium factory in Birmingham. He also directs in the world’s major opera houses with leading international conductors, including Riccardo Muti, James Levine, Bernard Haitink, Valery Gergiev, Seiji...
http://www.bcu.ac.uk/news-events/news/artistic-director-of-birmingham-opera-company-to-receive-honours

Industrial sculptor to be honoured at University awards ceremony

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A sculptor who takes his inspiration from the West Midlands’ industrial heritage i s among the outstanding former students who will be honoured at Birmingham City University’s forthcoming graduation ceremonies. Luke Perry graduated with a BA (Hons) degree in Fine Art in 2005 and is being honoured as one of the University’s Alumni of the Year in the Excellence in Sport or the Arts category. With a passion for art and engineering, Luke uses his expertise in both fields to design and build large-scale sculptures that celebrate the Midlands’ industrial heritage. He is founder and director of Industrial Heritage Stronghold, a not-for-profit organisation which aims to “build Public Artworks which celebrate our...
http://www.bcu.ac.uk/news-events/news/industrial-sculptor-to-be-honoured-at-university-awards-ceremony

Avant-garde student designs have the wow factor

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Design-led businesses have linked up with students from Birmingham City University to help predict future trends – and wowed visitors at a national industry showcase. Birmingham City University students showcased their cutting-edge concepts at the Interiors 2012 at the Birmingham NEC, attracting attention from the best in the interior design industry on a quest to find new ideas. “There has been a real buzz around our exhibition – visitors recognise that, as students, we are coming into our professional self with new ideas and inspirations for the industry. It’s a very exciting experience,” said award-winning student Gemma Smith, now in her third year of a design course, specialising in printed...
http://www.bcu.ac.uk/news-events/news/avant-garde-student-designs-have-the-wow-factor

Let the gaming begin in Birmingham

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Computer game developers are set to gather at Birmingham City University to take part in a marathon global competition. Starting this weekend (27 to 29 January 2012), Global Game Jam is a 48-hour international computer game development event held simultaneously across hundreds of sites around the world – including Birmingham City University’s Millennium Point campus home to the Faculty of Technology, Engineering and the Environment (TEE). The idea behind the Global Game Jam is for people with a mix of skills – designing, coding, art and music– to come together and create games based on a central theme against the clock. The event in Birmingham is being organised jointly by the staff and students of...
http://www.bcu.ac.uk/news-events/news/let-the-gaming-begin-in-birmingham

Birmingham graduate debuts collection at world famous department store

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

One of the world’s most expensive pens worth £27,500 has been designed by an award winning graduate from Birmingham City University. 26 year-old Jack Row – originally from Nottingham, but now lives and works in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter has launched his début collection of luxurious precious metal fountain pens at Harrods, the world’s most prestigious department store. Amongst Jack’s designs is his exclusively hand crafted, white gold and diamond detailed fountain pen, currently on sale for £27,500 at Harrods in London. His ‘Architect’ Collection of fountain pens and cufflinks are all individually hand crafted in solid silver and gold and set with accents of precious sapphires...
http://www.bcu.ac.uk/news-events/news/birmingham-graduate-debuts-collection-at-world-famous-department-store

University ‘design think-tank’ reveal how our future homes may look

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The way our homes may look next winter – including a Georgian inspired theme – will be unveiled by talented Birmingham City University design students who are part of an innovative design think-tank partnered with industry experts. With a tough trading year ahead the best from the interior design industry will descend on the NEC Birmingham as part of INTERIORS UK 2012 looking for inspiration and to see first-hand Birmingham City University’s Trends Exhibition . The expo runs from 22 to 25 January 2012 . The annual showcase of new student talent has already launched a number of award-winning designers, including Emma Shipley, who scooped the John Lewis Emerging Designer accolade last year, Chelsea Flower Show exhibitor...
http://www.bcu.ac.uk/news-events/news/university-design-think-tank-reveal-how-our-future-homes-may-look

‘Alzheimer’s support is vital’ says TV’s Fiona Phillips

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Former GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips is backing a charity event run by Birmingham City University to raise funds for an Alzheimer’s support centre. Fiona, who was bought up in Pembrokeshire, is a passionate supporter of the Alzheimer’s Society after having to endure the heartache of watching both her Mother and Father suffer with the disease. She is supporting the University’s ‘Brains of BCU’ quiz, taking place at the University on Tuesday 31st January 2012. Fiona became well known for her warm and chatty personality as a presenter on GMTV, a position she held for over ten years. She was appointed an anchor in 1997 and famously impressed two successive Prime Ministers (in Tony Blair and Gordon Brown) with her...
http://www.bcu.ac.uk/news-events/news/alzheimers-support-is-vital-says-tvs-fiona-phillips

Half-term career tasters launched by Birmingham City University

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Secondary school children are being given the chance to make their own TV shows, design video games and run a business during school holidays thanks to a new scheme being launched by Birmingham City University. ‘Future Creatives’ is a range of hands-on, creative media workshops for 13-16 year olds (Years 9 to 11), all lasts between three and five days and set to run throughout the school holidays this year. Sara Middleton, Course Director at NTI Birmingham , part of Birmingham City University, said: “These innovative courses give young people a real taste of an exciting career in the creative industry and cover everything from broadcast journalism, design, enterprise, games design, fashion photography, radio and TV, with...
http://www.bcu.ac.uk/news-events/news/half-term-career-tasters-launched-by-birmingham-city-university

Child protection expert urges Twitter to take more responsibility

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Twitter's child protection policies are lagging behind other major social-networking sites according to the organisation set up to tackle the sexual exploitation of children in the UK. The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (Ceop) has called on Twitter to do more to address the issue following concerns that some paedophiles are using the site to discuss abuse and link to images of child pornography. Twitter insists safety is a high priority for the company but it has been criticised by a former detective for taking too long to remove accounts. Mark Williams-Thomas, Criminologist & Child Protection Expert at Birmingham City , claims some users have still been active on the site days or even weeks after they have been...
http://www.bcu.ac.uk/news-events/news/child-protection-expert-urges-twitter-to-take-more-responsibility