University News Last updated 14 November 2016
Birmingham City University welcomed former students, along with potential new ones, as part of its first official reception in Hong Kong this week.
Hosted by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bashir Makhoul, the event celebrated the achievements of more than 1,400 alumni in Hong Kong, with many now holding prominent positions in education, finance, human resources, media, marketing and design.
Held at The Mira Hong Kong in Tsim Sha Tsui on Friday 11 November, the event also gave current applicants to the UK institution the opportunity to hear about the highlights of the University’s year and its plans for the future.
Professor Bashir Makhoul, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Birmingham City University said:
Birmingham City University’s alumni occupy senior positions in a wide range of organisations across Hong Kong including Cathay Pacific, Gammon Construction, Lenovo, SITA and the Government of Hong Kong.
Professor Makhoul added:
“Internationalisation is vitally important to us at Birmingham City University and we have set ourselves ambitious international goals for the next few years. We believe that a truly modern university must look beyond traditional boundaries of practice or geography.
“The event was also a fantastic chance for current applicants to speak with our graduates to find out first-hand what it is like to study with us in the UK or in Hong Kong with our international partners.”
The event was followed by a graduation ceremony for over 200 Hong Kong students who have studied on Birmingham City University programmes through the School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE) and the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI).
The two academic partners are members of the Vocational Training Council, which was formed in 1982 and is the largest provider of vocational education in Hong Kong.
The undergraduate programmes, which include Visual Communication awards in Film and Animation, Photography, Illustration and Graphic Communication, as well as Interior Design, Product Design, Landscape Architecture and Fine Art, are partially taught by Birmingham City University academics, who travel to Hong Kong throughout the year to deliver modules in conjunction with the local partners. The latest research ideas by Birmingham City University academics are incorporated into the lessons to ensure relevance and up-to-date learning.
The Birmingham City University Graduation Ceremony was held at the InterContinental Hong Kong in Kowloon on Sunday 13 November 2016. The degrees were conferred by Professor Bashir Makhoul, who was joined by eight other senior academics from the University’s Faculty of Arts, Design and Media.
Professor Makhoul added:
“Our strategic alliance with SHAPE and HKDI is an example of international higher education working at its best. With our experienced faculty, students gain global insights to better compete in today’s job market.
“We are proud of the achievements of all our students in Hong Kong and look forward to their active participation in our alumni community.”
In Birmingham, the University is mid-way through a £260 million investment programme, including a major expansion of its City Centre Campus, together with ongoing development of existing sites.