The UK government has announced that international students, including Indians, will no longer be able to bring family members over. This is part of measures to bring down annual net migration, which reached a record in 2022.

The new changes to the student visa route will apply to overseas master’s students at British universities. However, it will not affect international students on postgraduate research routes such as PhDs, whose training often lasts between three to five years. The changes are set to come into effect in January 2024.

A vibrant and diverse celebration of the written and spoken word, Newham Word Festival, funded by Newham Council and Arts Council England, returns for its fifth year with more than 30 extraordinary free events.

The festival will take place in libraries, theatres, arts centres and more across the borough, as well as including online workshops and talks. Join poets, authors, artists, performers and musicians for this inspiring tribute to the power of the word - with creative workshops, quizzes, dancing, t-shirt making, film screenings, soundscapes and lots more.

Following the success of last year’s SciSPORT event, Millennium Point is hosting a SciMED showcase on Monday 10th July, to inspire young people to consider the myriad of STEM careers within the broad spectrum of the medical sector. School children from across the West Midlands will have the chance to be inspired with all things ‘medical’, from traditional roles of doctors, vets and dentists to wider STEM-related sectors such as physiology, health, wellbeing, pharmaceuticals - and so much more.

Wolverhampton’s Yo! May half-term programme gets underway next week, offering hundreds of activities and events for the city’s children and young people and their families during the school holiday. Running throughout half-term, from Monday 29 May to Friday 2 June, all activities will be funded by the City of Wolverhampton Council’s #YES Fund and will include a meal.

Children at a primary school in Trumpington are looking forward to observing and helping birds, thanks to a recent donation from a local housebuilder. In recognition of World Environment Day (5th June), Barratt Homes – which is building new homes at Franklin Gardens in Cambridge – has donated a set of bird feeders and bird seed to Trumpington Meadows Primary School to mark the final property being sold at its Trumpington Meadows development. 

University of Wolverhampton Researchers grabbed one of the top prizes in a global competition after taking part in an international innovation competition recently. 

A team led by Dr Brian Johnston, Research Associate in Polymer Chemistry, working with Professor Iza Radecka, Professor in Biotechnology, took part in a virtual debate and presentation with teams from around the world at the Discover Future Materials Innovation Program. The team clinched second place in their category for their work with Essity, a leading hygiene and health company.