University News Last updated 14 July
An enterprising student passionate about championing the voices of her peers, both across campus and globally, has been nominated for an award in recognition of her lasting impact on the student community.
Shivali Srivastav is studying MSc Management and Marketing with Professional Placement at Birmingham City University (BCU) and has been shortlisted for the Student Leadership and Enterprise Award at the 2026 University Alliance Awards.
Throughout her studies Shivali, from Lucknow in India, has held an extensive number of leadership roles at the university, including Course Representative, Lead Representative for the Graduate School of Management, Student Ambassador, Student Content Creator, Literacy Tutor, Clearing Ambassador and twice an International Buddy mentoring new arrivals.
She was also awarded a Business Development Grant from BCU's Future Founders Fund, which supports student businesses with up to £25,000 in investment.
She used this financial support to found ‘Shivali's Life Lens’, a social media platform supporting prospective international students.
Speaking about her nomination, Shivali said: “When I arrived at Birmingham City University, I wasn’t sure how to navigate life as an international student.
“Helping other students settle in and find their footing in Birmingham, a city I have fallen in love with, is the thing I am most proud of, and I’m really pleased that my work has been seen and recognised with this nomination.”
Shivali was nominated for the award by Cristina Chirita, Senior Lecturer in Management and Course Leader of MSc Management Suite at BCU, who said: “She is exactly the kind of student leader and founder this award exists to celebrate, and I feel very proud she is a graduate of the MSc Management Course I’m leading at BCU.”
The University Alliance represents the leading professional and technical universities in the UK, and their annual awards celebrate the work of colleagues, students and teams across their membership who have made an outstanding contribution to professional and technical higher education.
Professor Hanifa Shah OBE, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Enterprise, Engagement and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) at BCU, has also been shortlisted for the Lifetime Achievement Award thanks to her contributions to research, inclusion and talent development over her long career.
The winners will be announced at the University Alliance Awards, held on 3 September.
Image: Student Shivali Srivastav studying MSc Management and Marketing with Professional Placement. Credit: BCU