The end of January saw University of Westminster colleagues conduct a number of activities in India, showcasing the University’s world-class research and teaching, engaging with international alumni, forging new partnerships and supporting a Westminster Working Cultures (WWC) student trip to Mumbai.
Professor Alexandra Hughes, Deputy-Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement and Employability at the University of Westminster, led a delegation of Westminster colleagues to Delhi and Mumbai. The group included Kamalini Sivagurunathan, Associate Head of College for Design, Creative and Digital Industries (DCDI), Stephen Wallis, Director of Transnational Education, and Professor Mohammed Gulrez Zariwala, Professor of Translational Physiology and Director of the Centre for Nutraceuticals.
The purpose of the India trip was to visit existing and potential new partners of the University, host alumni receptions and support the WWC student visit to Mumbai. The WWC visit was aimed at enhancing the employability skills of participating students, many of whom were from disadvantaged or marginalised groups.
Westminster colleagues visited a number of Indian institutions, including Al Kalsekar Technical Campus and M H Saboo Siddik Polytechnic. They met the institutions’ senior teams, including Dr Zahir Kazi, President of the Anjuman-I-Islam group, to which both institutions belong. This provided an excellent opportunity for the Westminster team to learn more about the two institutions and the wider work of the group. There was also the opportunity to meet with students.
It is hoped that new partnership developments will increase the opportunities for interaction between the University and institutions in India, including in the areas of student mobility, research and programme-related opportunities.
The delegation visit also built upon a recent partnership event during which Westminster academics delivered world-class teaching in ATLAS SkillTech University in Mumbai. Colleagues from the University’s College of Design, Creative and Digital Industries and Westminster Business School participated in the Atlas international faculty week, forging new institutional connections. The President and Chancellor of ATLAS SkillTech University, Dr Indu Shahani, is a longstanding supporter of the University and has regularly welcomed WWC students to the institutions she has led.
Westminster students and colleagues at the alumni reception in Mumbai
Westminster colleagues with members of ATLAS SkillTech University
Research engagements were a key feature of the Westminster visit to India. Dr Nitasha Kaul, Director of Centre for the Study of Democracy, and Professor Dibyesh Anand, Head of the School of Social Sciences, in partnership with Ashoka University, organised an international conference on The Himalayas From Its Edges which brought together scholars to share their research and ideas on different regions and peoples of the Himalayas.
Dr Kaul delivered lectures and book readings at various prominent institutions in New Delhi including the South Asian University, Jesus and Mary College at Delhi University, and Kunzum Books. Professor Anand gave a lecture at St Stephen's College in Delhi. Professor Anand also delivered British Council's GREAT Talks in Kolkata, Dibrugarh and Mumbai, as part of their prestigious outreach programme.
Speaking about the University’s engagements in India, Professor Alexandra Hughes said: “The University has rich and long-standing connections with India. I am delighted that we were able to bring these together during our recent visit, and that new relationships and partnerships were set in train.
“It was particularly pleasing to be able to reconnect with our alumni in the wake of the pandemic, and to see our WWC students engaging with and learning from the professional life and vibrancy of Mumbai.”
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