Hosted by Birmingham City University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Philip Plowden, the international visitors discussed potential areas of future collaboration, including staff and student exchanges.

Among the distinguished guests, the networking event on Thursday 15 November welcomed Professor R. S. Bawa, Vice-Chancellor and Professor Rajan Sharma, Deputy Director from Chandigarh University in India, along with Professor Masaaki Suzuki, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology.

As well as discussing areas of potential collaboration, the delegates enjoyed a concert in Birmingham City University’s Royal Birmingham Conservatoire –  Now That’s What I Call 175! – which showcased iconic music created in and linked to the Midlands city from the past 175 years.

Professor Rajan Sharma, Deputy Director, Chandigarh University, India, said:

“Thank you very much for your time and warm hospitality extended during our visit to Birmingham City University. It is always pleasure to be here.”

The international  event was part of a season marking 175 years since Birmingham City University’s foundation as the Birmingham Government School of Design in 1843, the forerunner to the present day schools of Art and Visual Communication. BCU 175 has been celebrated with special events and activities in and around the city since September, and will continue into 2019.

In 1884 the School evolved into Birmingham College of Art, moving to a purpose-built Venetian Gothic building on Margaret Street designed by John Chamberlain. Today, Margaret Street still houses the University’s School of Art and is a Grade I Listed Building.

Parmila Murria, Director, International Office, Birmingham City University, said:

“Birmingham City University is proud of the strong international links the institution has nurtured since our infancy. Today our work around the world enhances research and teaching collaboration, while we strive to give our graduates the very best international career opportunities through study opportunities with our global partners.

“Back here in the UK, our international students and staff enrich our campus community immensely. Through the International Office and Birmingham City University Students’ Union, we encourage our international scholars and workforce to highlight their unique culture and customs to fellow students and staff around the University and across the city.”

In a unique and pioneering step, Akshay Kumar along with Hon’ble Union Minister of India Rajnath Singh launched an app and website ‘Bharat Ke Veer’, which enables people to contribute financially towards the families of martyrs.

After initially appealing to the public on the eve of Republic Day 2017 in India, the actor had proposed an app to enable people who wanted to support the families of martyred jawans (soldiers) financially. He had posted a video where he requested his fans to support the cause, with permissions from the Indian Army and support from the Government of India. He tweeted the video on 24^th January 2017 with the message: “Here I am standing up AGAIN for something I truly believe in coz THEIR well-being MATTERS to ME.I’d love to know if it does to YOU as well? pic.twitter.com/3Y5NPmTJhg”

Three months after launching the drive, the Government of India launched the app and the website Bharat Ke Veer.

Speaking at the launch of the app and website, Akshay Kumar said, “This website has been made exactly in two and a half months. About three months, this idea came in my mind, while watching a documentary film on terrorists, which showed how terror leaders financially support the families of the terrorist who carry out terror acts.

“Everybody wants to connect to people in uniform in their pain. It was a small dream and to fulfil this dream, our government really helped us. I want to thank everybody with my folded hands. My father was in Army and I am here as his son. Thank-you everyone,” he added.

Visit the Bharat ke Veer website here – https://bharatkeveer.gov.in/

viewed video on YouTube worldwide

Monday 10th April 2017 – The song that has taken the nation by storm has been

scaling new heights with each passing day. MERCY, rap star’s Badshah’s first single,

which was officially released on 1st April on Sony Music India’s YouTube channel, has

clocked up 25 million views since its release and was the third most watched video

within 24 hours, globally. A feat that is a first for a pop song just speaks volumes on how

the song has been loved by fans globally.

Says Badshah, “I am just amazed and humbled. This is totally not what I had expected,

25 million views and the most popular song globally is just awesome. There is such

great music out there and when fans pick this song and give me so much love, I just

want to join my hands and thank them for it.”

The Indian film fraternity has also been showering the single with much love, from the

likes of filmmaker Karan Johar, Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan and Why This

Kolaveri Di composer and singer Anirudh Ravichander.

Varun Dhawan tweeted: “#mercy out now boom. @Its_Badshah. Great video great

tune”

Karan Johar tweeted: “Here it is the new blockbuster track by the one and only

@Its_Badshah ….#mercy! The party starter”

Anirudh Ravichander tweeted: “Check out my brother @Its_Badshah ‘s new super cool

track #Mercy”

Composed and sung by Badshah, the music video features the gorgeous and super

talented dancer Lauren Gottlieb. From being the first song to be shot at London’s O2

Arena to watching Badshah and Lauren dance on the wing of a Boeing, MERCY is

quintessentially cool. The single’s infectious rhythm and electronic influences hints at

the album being packed with Badshah’s entire persona into one.

Watch the song video of Mercy here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jyst8oIHOAY

Join the conversation:

#BadshahMercy

@SonyMusicIndia

@OfficialBadshah

@SonyMusicIndia

@Its_Badshah

@SonyMusicIndia

@BadBoyShah