David Gibson from Queen's University Management School
A leading enterprise expert from Queen’s will travel to India this week to advise business leaders, politicians and academics in Kolkata how to create a more entrepreneurial society with the support of higher education.
Drawing on research carried out at Queen’s, David Gibson, a Senior Teaching Fellow in Entrepreneurship in the University’s Management School, will speak at a conference about how a university can support local economic development.
David, the only recipient of a National Teaching Fellowship Award for enterprise education by the Higher Education Academy in the UK, is the author of a leading book on enterprise competencies called The EFactor, which is now used in over 100 universities, including Cambridge, where it is a core text.
In his presentation he will highlight how the West Bengal region can use the potential of students and universities to boost its economy. He will also cover topics including what skills students need to develop their own or their employers’ businesses and how entrepreneurship can be incorporated into the wider curriculum.
Speaking about his work, David said: “All students can develop an entrepreneurial mindset and Queen’s is one of the few universities in the world to teach entrepreneurship to students of all disciplines.
“They need an opportunity to develop the skills of creativity and the capacity to turn an idea into reality to help their region and their local communities.
“For example, nursing students are taught to be more enterprising to solve problems within the National Health Service and contribute to community health care, while those studying history are shown how to create publication and media proposals based on their research.
“Students in over 65 disciplinary areas are taught in this way, including teacher training students who will be teaching at secondary level where enterprise and employability is a key part of the curriculum.
“With the help of the Students’ Union enterprise officer, students are given further opportunities to apply their studies outside the curriculum.
“Over 4,000 certificates in entrepreneurship studies will be awarded to graduates in summer 2009 from a wide range of disciplines within Queen’s.
“We feel that other universities and economies around the world, including West Bengal, can benefit from our experience.”
West Bengal has not seen the increase in entrepreneurial activities seen in some other Indian states and the conference is being held in Kolkata to try to change the apprehensive mindset towards wealth creation through entrepreneurial activity.
The event, which takes place on Wednesday and Thursday, has been organised by the Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), a global not-for-profit organisation focused on promoting entrepreneurship.
The organisation aims to foster inspiration, skills ideas and networks and the conference will cover topics ranging from finding new business concepts to building the right team to raise capital and making contacts with foreign companies.
For media enquiries please contact: Andrea Clements, press officer, 028 9097 5391, Mob 07980 013 362,
a.clements@qub.ac.uk
Edna Longley
Business leaders, literary figures and former Indian President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam are among those who are set to receive honorary degrees from Queen's University this year.
Former Indian president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, who served from 2002 to 2007, will receive a doctorate for public service. He is a distinguished engineer and is considered a progressive mentor, innovator and visionary in India, believing in the power of science to resolve society’s problems. Popularly known as the “People’s President”, Dr Kalam has educated and inspired others as a scientist, teacher, researcher, statesman and poet.
West Belfast actress Geraldine Hughes, will receive a doctorate for services to the performing arts. She is best known as the female lead Marie in the 2006 film Rocky Balboa, acting alongside Sylvester Stallone. She has also appeared in ER and a number of New York stage productions.
Those who will be awarded doctorates for services to business and commerce include Michael Ryan, Vice-President and General Manager of Bombardier Aerospace, Michael Smurfit, former Chairman of packaging company the Smurfitt Kappa Group, and Neville Isdell, Chairman of the Coca-Cola Company, who is from Northern Ireland.
A doctorate for public service also goes to Francis Campbell, from Newry, who was Policy Adviser and Private Secretary to Tony Blair when he was Prime Minister, and the first Catholic to hold the position of UK Ambassador to the Holy See.
Lord Chief Justice Brian Kerr, who graduated from Queen’s 40 years ago, will be recognised for distinction in public service and the legal profession. Sir Brian sat as an ad hoc judge in the European Court of Human Rights at Strasbourg and contributes significantly to Queen’s through the School of Law.
An honorary doctorate for services to broadcasting will be conferred on the BBC’s Africa correspondent Orla Guerin, who was born in Dublin. She has been based in areas all over the world, including Jerusalem, from where she reported on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She has also reported from Kosovo, the Republic of Macedonia, Moscow and the former Soviet Union.
Paralympic double world champion sprinter Jason Smyth, 21, from Derry, is also on the list of 2009 honorary graduates. The visually impaired athlete, who is also a regular competitor in sighted competitions and is ranked second in Ireland over 200 metres, is a strong contender for the 2012 Olympics.
Former Queen’s professor and author Edna Longley, one of the most influential critics on modern Irish and British poetry, and Alexander McCall Smith, the author of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, who was a law lecturer at Queen’s during the 1970s, will receive doctorates for distinction in literature.
Distinguished theoretical chemist Professor Ruth Lynden-Bell, a Fellow of the Royal Society, and Professor Amos Smith, who has recently been awarded the Japanese equivalent of a Knighthood for his services to world chemistry, will both be honoured for their work.
Other academics who will have honorary degrees conferred on them are medieval historian Professor Emerita Dame Janet Nelson, anthropologist Professor Dame Marilyn Strathearn and geoscientist Professor Emertius Minze Stuvier.
The degrees will be awarded as follows:
| DUniv | Francis Campbell | for distinction in public service |
| DUniv | Orla Guerin | for services to broadcasting |
| DUniv | Geraldine Hughes | for services to the performing arts |
| DSc (Econ) | Neville Isdell | for services to business and commerce |
| DUniv | Dr APJ Abdul Kalam | for distinction in public service |
| LLD | Lord Chief Justice Brian Kerr | for distinction in public service and the legal profession |
| DSc | Professor Ruth Lynden-Bell | for distinction in chemistry |
| DLit | Professor Edna Longley | for distinction in literature |
| DLit | Alexander McCall Smith | for distinction in literature |
| DMedSc | Dr Martin Murphy Jr | for services to medicine and for public service |
| DLit | Professor Emerita Dame Janet Nelson | for distinction in medieval history |
| DSc (Eng) | Michael Ryan CBE | for services to engineering, business and commerce |
| DSc | Professor Amos Smith | for distinction in organic chemistry |
| DSc (Econ) | Michael Smurfit | for services to business and commerce |
| DUniv | Jason Smyth | for distinction in sport |
| DSSc | Professor Dame Marilyn Strathern | for distinction in anthropology and social sciences |
| DSc | Professor Emeritus Minze Stuiver | for distinction in geosciences |
At the KTP awards ceremony in London (left-right) Lorraine Marks, of Queen's, Jim Kirkpatrick, from Macrete Ireland Ltd, Su Taylor, from Queen's, Lord Paul and Ken Frame, from AEA Momenta.
Queen's University Belfast is celebrating a year of outstanding achievement in innovation after winning two prestigious national awards.
Queen's partnership with Northern Ireland-based business Macrete Ireland Ltd has been awarded a UK-wide prize for engineering excellence at the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) awards in London last week.
The partnership was also named as Northern Ireland Regional winner at the event.
The successful collaboration between Queen's and Macrete has led to the development of an innovative ‘flat pack’ concrete arch system to ensure a structurally efficient bridge system. The FlexiArch System has given Macrete a major advantage in the market and the partnership has already attracted market interest from throughout Europe, the United States, India and Bangladesh.
The two-year project, part funded by Invest NI, was carried out with Macrete by KTP Associate Abhey Gupta under the supervision of Su Taylor and Professor Emeritus Adrian Long of the University’s School of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering.
Dr Taylor said: “I am delighted that our Knowledge Transfer Partnership has been awarded such a prestigious award. It is especially rewarding to have our work recognised so publically and we will continue to collaborate with Macrete on other projects.”
The KTP awards recognised the most successful partnerships fostered through the Technology Strategy Board’s Knowledge Transfer Partnerships programme which supports innovation-led, three-way partnerships between business, academic institutions and graduate associates.
The award winners were congratulated by Iain Gray, Chief Executive of the Technology Strategy Board; Lord Paul, Chancellor of the Universities of Westminster and Wolverhampton; Graham Spittle, Chairman of the Technology Strategy Board and IBM’s Vice President of Software for UK, Ireland and South Africa.
Commenting at the awards ceremony Graham Spittle said: “This event has provided a welcome indication that the UK economy is equipped to meet the challenging demands of a tough economic climate and increasing global competition.
“The Knowledge Transfer Partnerships is a great success and will continue to grow as businesses increasingly recognise the value of tapping into the skills and knowledge that exist within the UK’s academic institutions. Businesses and universities need to continue to work together to ensure that innovation blossoms throughout the UK and secures our economic future.”
For media enquiries please contact: Emma Blee, Press & PR Unit, +44 (0)28 9097 2576,
press.office@qub.ac.uk
Lukummon Oyeldele, Course Director; David Cleland, Head of School; Peter Goodacre, RICS President; and John Davidson, RICS NI Chairman.
The second international symposium on cell biology will be held in Belfast in September.
The two day conference, “Cancer: Found in Translation” is part of an international research partnership to develop new ways to treat and understand cancer, established between India and Northern Ireland.
The agreement, signed in 2007 between Queen’s and the Ministry of Biotechnology, Government of India, involves top cancer specialists from the National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi and the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology at Queen’s.
The symposium, which will run from 2-3 September in the Europa Hotel, is organised by Queen’s University. For further information about the conference visit Centre for Cancer and Cell Biology.
Professor Harjit Singh from Jawaharal Nehru University in New Delhi, who visited the Environmental Change Cluster in Queen's School of Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology, with Dr Satish Kumar.
During his visit to the University Professor Singh gave a seminar entitled "Environmental Issues and Changing Society in the hill areas of South Asia."
Dr Bhaskar Sengupta
A team of scientists at Queen's University has been chosen to lead a top research and training programme to prevent groundwater poisoning in India.
More than 70 million people in Eastern India and Bangladesh experience involuntary exposure to the poisonous chemical arsenic, from consuming water and rice. This includes farmers who have to use contaminated groundwater for minor irrigation schemes.
It is estimated that for every random sample of 100 people in the Bengal Delta, at least one person will be near death as a result of arsenic poisoning, while five in 100 will be experiencing other symptoms.
Last year Queen’s scientists created low-cost technology that provides arsenic-free water to affected areas. The technology was developed by a team of European and Indian engineers led by Dr Bhaskar Sengupta from the University.
Queen's has now been announced as a provider of training to thousands of people who will learn how to use the equipment and improve environmental conditions.
Dr Harold Johnston, Director of Education of Civil Engineering at Queen’s, also helped develop the training programme in Kolkata and Jamshedpur.
The programme is supported by the British Council under the prestigious Development Partnerships in Higher Education Programme (Delphe).
Dr Sengupta, who is co-ordinating the project, said: "This initiative will help to train more than 1,000 people over the next three years in Eastern India in a novel chemical-free arsenic removal method.
"Arsenic poisoning is behind many instances of ill-health in Asia, including a number of cancer cases. Developing a low cost method of decontaminating groundwater that is laced with high levels of arsenic is a key challenge for sustainable agriculture in the region.
“The training programme developed by Queen’s is the only method which is eco-friendly, easy to use and deliverable to the rural community user at an affordable cost."
Dr Satish Kumar, Director of the India Initiative at Queen’s, said: "The theory behind community-based natural resource management argues that the best way to manage natural resources is for the local people to use their knowledge and technologies. The issue of deeply entrenched arsenic contamination of groundwater in Kolkata and indeed in large parts of West Bengal calls for an approach where the local population are empowered to engage with this new technology."
For media enquiries please contact: Anne Langford, Corporate Affairs, +44 (0)28 9097 5310, Mob: 07815 871 997, a.langford@qub.ac.uk
Tanmay Agnihotri, Shilpi Goel, Pankaj Gupta and Devika Nag from Amity University, Uttar Pradesh attend Queen’s India Welcome Scheme
32 Indian students have visited Queen’s as part of Queen’s India Welcome Scheme, a unique scholarship programme to develop Indian research leaders of the future.
The students from Jahwaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Bengal Engineering and Science University (BESU) and Amity University spent three weeks at the University.
Created to allow Indian science and technology students to develop research leaders of the future and experience life and work in Belfast, the scheme has proven so popular it has now been expanded to take more than 30 students.
Opportunities for the students who visited included working alongside scientists from Queen’s who have devised the world’s first low-cost technology to provide arsenic-free water to affected areas in SE Asia and those from the University's Institute of Electronics, Communications and Information Technology (ECIT) who have devised a new electronic filter which will lead to more accurate global weather forecasts and a better understanding of climate change.
As well as working on various research projects, the students took part in a range of cultural, academic and social activities.
In addition to the Welcome Scheme for university students, Queen’s is also currently running a pilot project with several schools in Delhi and Kolkata, including La Martiniere, Kolkata; Modern High School, Kolkata; G.D. Goenka Public School, Delhi and Sri Ram, Delhi.
Speaking about both schemes, Dr. M. Satish Kumar, Director of Queen’s India initiative said: “I am delighted that through our India Welcome Scheme, some of the best Indian students are now having the opportunity to work alongside specialist researchers in the vibrant and international setting that is Queen’s. The sharing of knowledge and skills across international borders is vital in today’s world and I have no doubt significant strides will be made as a result of this partnership.
“We hope our new pilot scheme with schools in Delhi and Kolkata will eventually increase students’ chances of pursuing their chosen disciplines and accessing degree pathways in the United Kingdom which will open up new career opportunities for the future.”
The students’ visit follows the announcement by Queen’s last month that it has appointed international statesman Kamalesh Sharma as its new Chancellor. His Excellency Kamalesh Sharma is currently Commonwealth Secretary General and former Indian High Commissioner in London. He succeeds Senator George Mitchell who stepped down in March following his appointment to head up the United States’ peacemaking efforts in the Middle East.
For further information on Queen’s and India visit http://www.qub.ac.uk/home/ProspectiveStudents/InternationalStudents/QueensandIndia/
For further information please contact Lisa McElroy, Press and PR Unit. Email: lisa.mcelroy@qub.ac.uk or telephone +44(0)28 90 97 5384
Belfast is hosting its third annual mela on Sunday 30 August in Botanic Gardens, next to the University.
An international showcase of music, dance, art and food, the Mela, which runs from 12pm to 6pm, with free admission, prides itself in being an artistically led celebration of ethnic culture and creativity, inspired by local and international talent.
Visitors will get the chance to sample food from a host of countries, watch an international showcase of music and dance, participate in craft workshops and browse stalls representing the work of Northern Ireland’s community organisations.
This year’s O2 Stage will feature a wide range of musical artists and dance groups, highlights include Mona Singh, the Foundation for Performing Indian Arts (FIPA) and The Kala Chethena Kathakali Company.
There will also be an exclusive Asian fashion show featuring Asian clothing from silk saris to stunning salwars. With three shows throughout the event, tickets, at £10/£7, are available online or from the Belfast Welcome Centre.
For further information visit www.belfastmela.org.uk
India Gate: Pictured alongside the Minister are: (left) Alastair Hamilton, Chief Executive Invest NI and (right) Barry Clarke, Invest NI.
Parliament Buildings
Led by Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster, the delegation, which includes representatives from businesses across Northern Ireland, will visit Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore. The Minister will be accompanied by Alastair Hamilton, Chief Executive, Invest Northern Ireland, and by Lord Diljit Rana, Honorary Consul for India in Northern Ireland.
Further details about the India trade mission can be found at
http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/news/news-deti/news-deti-070909-foster-to-lead.htm
http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/news/news-deti/news-deti-170909-foster-announces-india.htm
Extended Captions
India Gate
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster is in Delhi today at the start of her five day Invest NI trade mission to India. Barry Clarke from Invest NI's Mumbai Office showed the Minister around the city upon her arrival. The Minister is pictured at the India Gate, which was constructed as a memorial in the memory of 90,000 soldiers who died during World War I.
Parliament Buildings
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster is in Delhi today at the start of her five day Invest NI trade mission to India. Barry Clarke from Invest NI's Bombay Office showed the Minister around the city upon her arrival. Pictured alongside the Minister outside the buildings of Parliament in Delhi are: (left) Alastair Hamilton, Chief Executive Invest NI and (right) Barry Clarke, Invest NI.
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster with Chistina d'Costa, Invest NI Mumbai, and Noel Johnston, Invest NI trade misson leader, at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
Arlene Foster and Noel Johnston at the iconic Gateway to India in Mumbai
The five-day mission, organised by Invest Northern Ireland, was aimed at promoting trade, investment and encouraging tourism. Among those attending were representatives from Queen’s University.
Commenting on the event, the Minister said: “The growth in the Indian economy holds a great deal of promise for trade and investment opportunities and the potential to attract more Indian visitors to Northern Ireland.
“Invest Northern Ireland’s office now has an established presence in Mumbai, which offers Northern Ireland companies high quality advice and assistance. This makes it easier for firms to explore export opportunities and ultimately do business in this dynamic market at a difficult economic time.”
During her trip the Minister also urged Indian travel companies to promote Northern Ireland as a tourist and business destination. India is recognised by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation as one of the fastest growing outbound travel markets of the next decade.
“While London has become one of the most popular destinations for Indian travellers, Northern Ireland must capitalise on the presence of its vibrant and long-established Indian community. Over 2,000 people currently reside here and a further 1,500 are in employment. It therefore makes good sense to target those Indian tourists travelling to the UK and encourage them to include Northern Ireland as part of their trip,” she said.
Summing up the trade mission, the Minister concluded: “Northern Ireland has a long established relationship with India dating back to the 17th century and I hope that by continuing to work, research, study and trade together, both countries can mutually benefit and develop into prosperous and vibrant societies.”
Front row (left to right): Julie McDougall; Professor Mohan Ramanan, Dean of Humanities at Hyderabad; Clare Joseph; and Clara Neary. Back row (left to right): Ryan Kee; Samantha Murray; Dr Malte Urban, Queen’s School of English; Ciaran McCartan; and Professor Sachidananda Mohanty, Head of English at Hyderabad
An exchange programme set up by the School of English between Queen’s and the University of Hyderabad has been so successful that it is now being expanded to include another Indian university.
The programme, which gives local students the opportunity to spend four weeks at Hyderabad over the summer, now includes the Madras Christian College (MCC) in Chennai.
The programme with Hyderabad is in its second year. This summer saw six students from several schools, including Management, Geography, English, Politics, International Studies and Philosophy, take part in the programme.
During their stay, the students undertook independent research projects under the supervision of local experts in their field. One student gave a presentation on the results of her research while another one taught an MPhil class on the basis of his essay on the Indian government’s position and politics on climate change.
Funded by the British Council, the visit was organised by Queen’s School of English and the English Department at the University of Hyderabad.
Dr Malte Urban from the School of English, who accompanied the students to India, said: “The response to our students and their work was overwhelmingly positive. The Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Hyderabad are keen to do all they can to enable both institutions to develop the relationship into a permanent feature of the academic calendar.”
The new exchange programme with MCC will see four PhD students from Queen’s spend several weeks in Chennai in January 2010.
Professor Peter Gregson, President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University
One of the UK’s leading engineers in the aerospace industry has revealed how his research contributed to the development of the world’s largest passenger airliner, the Airbus A380.
Professor Peter Gregson, President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast and Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering was addressing an invited audience of eminent scientists and engineers at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
Professor Gregson’s address set out the major technological challenges facing the aerospace industry today if European environmental targets are to be achieved. Drawing on his recent experiences with Rolls Royce and Airbus, he highlighted how new designs have led to environmentally friendly engines and how aerodynamic optimisation and advanced materials have contributed to a dramatically enhanced environmental performance of today’s latest airlines.
Speaking at the Indian Institute of Science, Professor Gregson said: “This is an honour for me, and for Queen’s University Belfast, to be invited to address lndia’s leading scientists engineers and researchers on this important topic.
“The European collaboration in the aerospace industry has demonstrated that sharing of knowledge and skills across international borders is vital in today’s world. Queen’s University, as a member of the Russell Group of the UK’s 20 leading research-intensive universities, has an established and proud history of working alongside some of the finest scientists and engineers throughout the world. Queen’s University is committed to building strong, lasting and mutually beneficial partnerships with leading researchers in India.”
During the visit to the Indian Institute of Science, Queen’s University had an opportunity to discuss research collaborations and staff and student exchanges in areas including plasma physics and nano-structured media, crystal and structural chemistry and aerospace engineering.
The visit to Bangalore was part of a ten day visit to India by a senior delegation from Queen’s University and also included visiting major institutions in New Delhi, Kolkata and Hyderabad. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen existing links and to develop new partnerships which would be of mutual benefit to the Indian economy and education sector and those of Northern Ireland.
Professor Ed Larissy, School of English
Queen’s University Belfast, one of the UK’s leading research-intensive Universities has today announced a major partnership with the University of Hyderabad which has the potential to deliver significant benefits for both India and Northern Ireland.
The agreement sees the extension of the ‘Queen’s India Welcome Scheme’, which provides an opportunity for leading Indian students to attend a unique experience of research in the Humanities and Social Sciences at Queen’s University Belfast. There is also a commitment to develop similar collaboration in other disciplines, particularly the life sciences.
Other aspects of the partnership will increase student and staff exchanges in the areas of English, Creative Writing, Geography, Politics and Translation Studies; allowing them the opportunity to experience life studying and working in each others countries.
Speaking about this exciting development, President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast, Professor Peter Gregson said: “Queen’s has an established and proud history of working alongside some of the finest researchers throughout the world and it is with great pleasure that I am able to announce this partnership today with the University of Hyderabad. The University of Hyderabad is one of India’s leading Universities and it is fitting that we should work together in this way.
“The sharing of knowledge and skills across international borders is vital in today’s world and I am confident that this partnership between our two institutions will have rewarding outcomes which are mutually beneficial to both the University of Hyderabad and Queen’s University Belfast.”
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad, Professor Hasnain, has also been invited to give a public lecture in Belfast on his research on Tuberculosis as part of Queen’s prestigious India Lecture series. Previous speakers in that series have included Dr Kalam, former President of India, and Professors Thapa and Desiraju from the University of Hyderabad.
The University of Hyderabad will also play host to some of Ireland’s most distinguished poets who are celebrating a week-long festival of languages and culture in New Delhi, Kolkata and Hyderabad.
The Irish poets include: Michael Longley, Ireland Chair of Poetry and one of the foremost living poets in the English language; Ciaran Carson, Director of the Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry, Queens University; Ed Larrissy, Professor of Poetry at the School of English; Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin, traditional singer in residence at the Seamus Heaney Centre and Edna Longley, Professor Emerita at Queen’s.
Taking part in the event, Ciaran Carson, Director of the Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry at Queen’s said: "Poetry is one of the areas for which Queen's University is internationally known, and the Seamus Heaney Centre is at the heart of that endeavour, whether through the work of its poets and critics, or its links with other art-forms, especially traditional singing and music. Poetry transcends international boundaries and we greatly look forward to exploring it further with our fellow poets in India."
During their time in Hyderabad, the Queen’s delegation also visited the Head Office and Research Laboratories of CMC, one of India’s largest computer companies, who form part of the Tata Group. This visit at the invitation of Mr Prashant Shukla, Chief Operating Officer was to explore ways to build upon current collaborations involving CMC and the Queen’s University Centre for Digitisation and Data Archiving (CDDA). Particular emphasis is to be given to developing collaborative training programmes, partnerships linked to outsourced contract development work and joint research projects to explore new opportunities for application of embedded systems.
Planned discussions will also include further development of the existing partnerships linked to records of births deaths and marriages in both the UK and Ireland as well as the digitisation of significant archives currently held by major charitable foundations.
The visit to Hyderabad was part of a ten day visit to India by a senior delegation from Queen’s University and which also included visiting major institutions in New Delhi, Kolkata and Bangalore. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen existing links and to develop new partnerships which would be of mutual benefit to the Indian economy and education sector and those of Northern Ireland.
Twelve months on from the official opening of the Eastern India Water Research Institute (EIWRI) in Kolkata, its partners have announced the opening of a Queen’s University Belfast office situated at Bengal Engineering and Science University.
The opening of EIWRI has led to the development of technology which is designed to provide safe arsenic-free drinking water for over 70 million people in South East Asia. The opening of the Queen’s office in Kolkata gives the go-ahead to a further three year programme of collaborative research, allowing this essential work to be fast-tracked.
The continuing research will concentrate on developing environmentally friendly processes for the removal of arsenic from groundwater supplies and to promote rapid transfer of technology to rural areas. The project will benefit from Queen’s PhD student, Ms. Antonia O’Neil, working full time in BESU. The opening will also facilitate a major initiative led by Queen’s on the Sunderbans focussing on the problems of climate change and increased development as seen in both sea level rise and the sinking of land levels.
One of the driving forces behind the setting up of EIWRI, Queen’s University’s Dr Bhaskar Sengupta had his work recognised earlier this month when he was awarded the prestigious Reliance award at the IChemE’s annual awards. Called the ‘Ambani Award’ in memory of Dhirubhai Ambani, the founder of Reliance Industries, this international award is given in recognition of an outstanding contribution in chemical engineering for resource poor people.
Speaking about the opening of the office at BESU and the award Dr Sengupta said: “I would like to thank my team members who have worked tirelessly to assist people in the Bengal delta whose life can be transformed by the advent of arsenic free water. The $10,000 that goes along with the award will allow me to set up a further pilot plant to supply water to another local community. This money along with having a permanent office in the region will enable us to take our research studies to the next level and help improve the lives of vulnerable people here in West Bengal more quickly.”
During the visit to Kolkata, the Queen’s India Schools Partnership (QUISP) was launched.
Small clusters of schools in India will develop partnerships with Queen’s and its partner schools in Northern Ireland.
Benefits to Indian schools will include the delivery of a lecture programme on issues of global concern. Visiting lecturers from Queen’s will meet staff, students and parents to discuss technological and curriculum developments. Other benefits will include the provision of support materials relating to study at degree level in the UK. There will be an annual visit by at least one member of staff from each partner school to Queen’s and its partner schools in Northern Ireland. Students from the partner schools in India will also be eligible for a Queen’s scholarship equivalent to 15% of the tuition fee.
Speaking about this innovative programme President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast, Professor Peter Gregson said: “Queen’s has an established and proud history of working alongside some of the finest research institutions and universities in India and I am delighted that we are now able to extend these links to selected schools in India through the launch the Queen’s India Schools Partnership.
“The sharing of knowledge and skills across international borders is vital in today’s world and I am confident that this unique partnership will have rewarding outcomes which are mutually beneficial to both India and Northern Ireland. All the statistics show that students who have international experience during their graduate or postgraduate studies have enhanced career prospects.
“India is important for Queen’s University and I am committed to ensuring that we create strong, long-lasting, partnerships. The Queen’s India Schools Partnership will ensure that the benefits of coming to Queen’s University will be promoted through our partner schools. This unique alliance will make it easier for students to study at Queen’s.
The visit to Kolkata was part of a ten day visit to India by a Queen’s University senior delegation, which also included visiting major institutions in New Delhi, Hyderabad and Bangalore. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen existing links and to develop new partnerships which would be of mutual benefit to the Indian economic and education sectors and those of Northern Ireland.
Ciaran Carson, Director of the Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry at Queen’s
Some of Ireland’s most distinguished poets have joined together with their Indian counterparts to celebrate a week long festival of languages and culture in New Delhi, Hyderabad and Kolkata.
Believed to be the first event of its kind, this cultural festival provides the literary traditions of India and Ireland an opportunity to build on the shared history of excellence in poetry from W.B. Yeats and Rabindranath Tagore to today’s finest writers and critics including Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney.
Today’s event, which takes place at 7pm in the Oberoi Grand Hotel, Kolkata has been supported by the British Council and Queen’s University Belfast, where many of the participating Irish poets are based.
Those taking part from India are: Ashoke Viswanathan; Jayanta Mahapatra; Sunil Gangopadhyaly; Professor Babaneeta Dev Sen; Srijato and Manang Dai. The Irish delegation includes: Michael Longley, Ireland Chair of Poetry and one of the foremost living poets in the English language; Ciaran Carson, Director of the Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry at Queens University; Ed Larrissy, Professor of Poetry at the School of English at Queen’s; Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin, traditional singer in residence at the Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry, and Edna Longley, Professor Emerita at Queen’s.
Speaking about the evening President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast, Professor Peter Gregson said: “Since the early 20th century Queen’s has been home to a vibrant and diverse poetic tradition. Indeed, it is little surprise that the Times Literary Supplement has said that ‘poetry is now the activity for which Queen’s is best-known throughout the English-speaking world.’
“Queen’s has many assets, but our reputation as a centre for poetry is one that we particularly prize. Few other universities in Britain and Ireland can point to such a wealth of talent, and such a single contribution to modern poetry.
“It is therefore a great privilege that Queen’s can share this wealth of talent with fellow artists in India and compare how their experiences have helped shape modern-day contemporary Indian and Irish poetry.”
Taking part in the event, Ciaran Carson, Director of the Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry at Queen’s said: "Poetry is one of the areas for which Queen's University is internationally known, and the Seamus Heaney Centre is at the heart of that endeavour, whether through the work of its poets and critics, or its links with other art-forms, especially traditional singing and music. Poetry transcends international boundaries and we greatly look forward to exploring it further with our fellow poets in India."
The visit to Kolkata was part of a ten day visit to India by a senior delegation from Queen’s University and also included visiting major institutions in New Delhi, Hyderabad and Bangalore. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen existing links and to develop new partnerships which would be of mutual benefit to the Indian economy and education sector and those of Northern Ireland.
A new international student college has been launched today in New Delhi and will offer Indian students the opportunity to study at a leading UK university.
A joint venture between Queen's University Belfast and INTO University Partnerships, the new INTO-Queen’s College will deliver an outstanding and authentic student experience for those Indian students hoping to complete academic preparation in the UK.
INTO-Queen’s College includes a range of Diploma and Graduate Diploma courses that will be of interest to Indian students who wish to study at a leading UK university. A Foundation programme provides access to a wide range of undergraduate courses at Queen’s University, a member of the Russell Group of the leading UK Universities. The students will have the added benefit of having already settled into life at Queen’s before beginning degree studies. A Graduate Diploma Programme, which, upon successful completion, guarantees a place on a number of specialist postgraduate courses offered by Queen’s University Management School. The Management School was also instrumental in securing for Queen’s the Times Higher Education Award as the 2009 UK Entrepreneurial University of the Year.
Queen’s University President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Gregson who launched the new college said: “The sharing of knowledge and skills across international borders is vital in today’s world and I am confident that the new student college will have rewarding outcomes, which are mutually beneficial to both India and Northern Ireland. All the statistics show that students who have international experience during their graduate or postgraduate studies have enhanced their prospects.
“India is important for Queen’s University and I am committed to ensuring that we create strong, long-lasting, partnerships. The INTO-Queen’s College will ensure that the benefits of coming to Queen’s University will be promoted throughout India. This new alliance will make it easier for students to study at Queen’s.
“Having just been awarded the 2009 UK Entrepreneurial University of the Year award by Times Higher Education, I can honestly say there has never been a better time to come to study at Queen’s University.”
The main intake of students will occur every January and September. Further information on the new College can be found at www.into.uk.com/qub
The visit to New Delhi was part of a ten day visit to India by a Queen’s University senior delegation, which also included visiting major institutions in Kolkata, Hyderabad and Bangalore. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen existing links and to develop new partnerships which would be of mutual benefit to the Indian economic and education sectors and those of Northern Ireland.