University News Last updated 10 November 2023
‘The region must unite to tackle economic uncertainty’ was the clarion call from Birmingham City University Vice-Chancellor Professor David Mba, as he delivered his first Vice-Chancellor’s Dinner speech to an audience of the region’s dignitaries.
In a week that Birmingham City Council promoted its Cost of Living Week, and a night before the Office for National Statistics announced the economy had remained stagnant between July and September 2023, Professor Mba centred his speech on the prospects of young people from the region’s most deprived areas.
To an audience which included MPs, civic leaders, and leading figures from Birmingham business community, Professor Mba challenged the city to come together to respond to the effects of economic uncertainty on people’s livelihoods.
Professor Mba called for greater interaction between BCU and the region’s key influencers, citing the University’s own work in providing social mobility routes for the city’s young people. These include the recent launch of 'Accelerate', BCU’s scholarship programme making it easier for young people from lower income households to enrol - and then succeed - at university.
Professor Mba, who was introduced at the event by BCU’s Pro-Chancellor and Chair of the Board of Governors Anita Bhalla, joined the University in October 2023 from the University of Arts in London.