University News Last updated 26 June 2020
Birmingham City University's InnovationFest went global this year, as it co-hosted an online Awards Innovation Expo at Wuhan University of Science and Technology (WUST) in China. Around 1000 staff and students live-streamed into the event from around the world.
InnovationFest is a celebration of the ingenuity and creativity of students in the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment.The Expo took place on Thursday 24 June and was the first of its kind at WUST. The partnership between BCU and WUST was established in 2014, enabling BSc Computer Networks students in China to study both at home and in Birmingham. BCU’s Innovative Pedagogy framework is also being adopted by the Wuhan University.
As part of online event, Tech for Development Lead at the United Nations Development Programme, Ahmed Nasidah, delivered a keynote speech on how innovation can enable and empower society, and make the innovation ecosystem more inclusive. He also discussed the Innovation for Development programme, and the value of the work that BCU is doing with the next generation, around its Sustainable Development Goals. WUST students' projects addressed the third Sustainable Development Goal; Good Health and Well-being.
The event also hosted some of the winners from BCU’s InnovationFest, which took place earlier in June, who pitched their projects back to students in Wuhan. Students took the opportunity to exchange knowledge globally, demonstrate their work on an international platform and inspire fellow students from another part of the world.
Speaking during the event, Pro Vice-Chancellor & Executive Dean of the Faculty, Hanifa Shah said:
Birmingham Institute of Fashion and Creative Art (BIFCA), a partnership between Birmingham City University and Wuhan Textile University (WTU) will be holding an online Expo on 9 July. To find out more about the partnership and the event, head to the InnovationFest website.