UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 20 NOVEMBER 2014
Birmingham City University is looking forward to a visit with a Royal twist next week as staff and students at the School of Jewellery prepare to welcome Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.
HRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will visit the prestigious School as part of a wider visit to Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter on Tuesday 25 November. They will be given a tour of the School of Jewellery, and will have the chance to meet students and view current work.
Birmingham City University Vice-Chancellor Professor Cliff Allan will host the visit, and whilst the Prince attends a briefing to discuss the Jewellery Quarter's regeneration, The Duchess will be escorted around the School of Jewellery where she will have the opportunity to meet current staff, students and alumni, whilst viewing some of the exquisite work currently on display.
Gaynor Andrews, Acting Head of the School said the visit was recognition of The Prince of Wales’s long-standing support for the area and is looking forward to welcoming him and The Duchess of Cornwall.
Gaynor said: "Being the most prestigious and comprehensive jewellery school in Europe, and standing right in the heart of Birmingham’s famous Jewellery Quarter, our extraordinary listed Venetian Gothic building is truly fit for royalty. We are looking forward to showing The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall our facilities, and diverse range of courses we offer."
"The Royal visit is also an opportunity for us to thank The Prince of Wales for his ongoing support for the area. We also look forward to them meeting a number of our star students and alumni, many of whom are reinvesting their skills and expertise back into the local economy by working in the local jewellery industry after graduation."
The visit will conclude with a presentation by award-winning British artisan and goldsmith, Jack Row, who graduated from the School of Jewellery in 2009. Jack will present The Duchess with a pair of limited edition, handcrafted silver fountain pens from his latest Mirage Collection.