In an event hosted by Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Michael Harkin, Dr Venkatachalam Murugan was welcomed to the University, with a tour of the campus facilities including the state-of-the-art Health Suite and Cyber Labs.

University College Birmingham has a reputation for being one of Europe’s leading specialists in management courses for culinary arts, hospitality and tourism. The commitment to providing top-tier education in these fields aligns perfectly with the growing demand for skilled professionals in the global hospitality industry.

Birmingham is a culturally rich and vibrant city, and it’s no surprise that students coming to the area to study find it to be a place in which they thrive both academically and personally.

The visit offers the consulate the opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to the welfare and success of Indian students studying in Birmingham. 

Dr Venkatachalam Murugan said of the visit: “With around 1000 Indian students enrolled at University College Birmingham, it's imperative that we ensure their well-being and provide necessary support throughout their stay in the UK.”

University College Birmingham won the WhatUni 2023 award for International Student support, voted for by students themselves. As part of the visit, Dr Venkatachalam Murugan was able to see the facilities and services available to Indian students undertaking both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at the university.

Professor Michael Harkin, Vice-Chancellor and Principal said: "We were delighted to have hosted Dr Venkatachalam Murugan at the University. It was good for him to view a range of our curriculum facilities and meet in person many of our students, including a number of Indian students, across a range of our programmes. He visited nursing, physiotherapy, engineering, cyber security and computing, business and culinary arts facilities. Our partnerships across India and the opportunities to collaborate with universities and other organisations across the country continue to grow in strength, which will only enrich the delivery of an outstanding educational experience and skilled graduate careers for our students."

Additionally, Consul General Dr Venkatachalam Murugan was excited to explore and further enhance the collaborative initiatives between University College Birmingham and esteemed institutions such as G D Goenka University, Chitkara University, and Symbiosis Institute of Culinary Arts. Speaking of this aspect of the visit he said:

“These partnerships, focusing on staff exchange and student mobility, exemplify our joint commitment to fostering international cooperation and promoting excellence in education.

 “In conclusion, my visit to University College Birmingham symbolises our commitment to strengthening ties between India and the United Kingdom, particularly in the fields of education and skills development. I am confident that through collaboration and mutual exchange, new opportunities could be unlocked and way for a brighter future for the countries could be paved.”

University College Birmingham's International department works with students from all over the world. Find out more about life as an international student at University College Birmingham.