University News Last updated 13 June 2011
Birmingham City University is backing a national campaign celebrating the benefit of higher education.
Universities Week is taking place from June 13th to 19th and will highlight how universities benefit everyone, whether or not they have gone to university themselves.
Birmingham City University will host a number of events to demonstrate its extraordinary, life-changing work. Highlights include the installation of new chancellor, Councillor Anita Ward, the 2011 Birmingham Institute of Art and Design graduate shows, the launch of high profile research findings and a Higher Education Innovation Funding announcement. The week’s finale (on Saturday June 18th) will see the University opening its doors to prospective students for one of its annual Open Days.
Universities Week 2011 follows a successful pilot in 2010, which saw 110 universities, 30 major organisations and 35 celebrities taking part in showcasing the work of the higher education sector.
This year’s the week looks to be an even bigger success supported by high profile academics, from physicist and broadcaster Professor Brian Cox to Birmingham City University’s own experts, including Professor David Wilson and Professor Craig Jackson.
Professor David Tidmarsh Vice-Chancellor at Birmingham City University,said: “Universities Week is an excellent opportunity to showcase some of the fantastic work we are carrying out here at Birmingham City University. Our open day on Saturday 18th will also be a great chance to invite people to experience university life first-hand.”
Nicola Dandridge, Chief Executive of Universities UK, which is co-ordinating the Week, said: “In the media maelstrom which currently surrounds higher education funding, it’s easy to lose sight of the huge social, economic and cultural impact of universities.
“The idea behind this campaign is to tell some of the amazing and inspiring stories of why universities matter to the UK, and how they benefit everyone in the country. We were absolutely delighted with the positive response to the Universities Week pilot last year. We are looking to build on that success and urge universities and wider organisations to get involved with the campaign this year, to make it even bigger and better.”
Universities Week 2011 will focus on five key themes including the value universities bring to their communities, the value they bring to local businesses and how the research currently underway will benefit UK society in 20 years’ time.
For general information on Universities Week, see www.universitiesweek.org.uk