University News Last updated 12 March 2014
Birmingham City University’s new multi-million pound Parkside Building was officially opened last week by Lord Michael Heseltine.
The state-of-the-art home for Birmingham Institute of Art and Design (BIAD) and Birmingham School of Media, The Parkside Building marks the first step in creating a centre of excellence in the City’s Eastside region.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Cliff Allan said: “We are delighted to welcome such a prominent business and political figurehead to open The Parkside Building.”
“This is an exciting time for Birmingham City University and by further developing our presence in the heart of the City we will be able to capitalise on connections and better engage with local and national business. This increased engagement will enable us to continue our focus on professional and practice-based courses and development to attract students to the City and retain highly-skilled graduates in the region.”
Lord Heseltine was a Member of Parliament in Britain from 1966 to 2001 and became a prominent figure in the governments of Margaret Thatcher and John Major.
At various times he served as Secretary of State for the environment, defence, trade and industry. He was Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State between 1995 and 1997 and in 2001 he was raised to the peerage as Baron Heseltine of Thenford in the County of Northamptonshire. He is also the founder and Chairman of the Haymarket Group, one of the largest privately owned media companies in the UK.
During the visit to Birmingham City University Lord Heseltine was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate.