University receives national recognition for regeneration and public and community role

The University of Wolverhampton is one of the top institutions in the country for local regeneration and engaging with the public and community, according to new data just released.  

Research England’s Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) looks at the diverse contributions of universities to help level up their local areas. The data shows the rich contributions English higher education providers (HEPs) make, both economically and socially, on both local and national levels.  

It looks at the performance of universities from different perspectives including public and community engagement, working with partners ranging from big businesses to small local firms, and how they commercialise their research. The University of Wolverhampton was identified in the top 10% nationally for public and community engagement and also in the top 10% for local growth and regeneration.  

Professor Nazira Karodia, Pro Vice-Chancellor Regional Engagement, said: “We are delighted to have received national recognition for our role as an anchor institution in our region. The University’s mission and priorities are shaped and informed by local knowledge and partnership engagement. 

“Through working with our partners and collaborating, we transform individual life chances for the benefit of our students and our place. As well as our main campuses in Wolverhampton, Walsall and Telford we have a number of regional centres in key locations such as Stafford, Burton and Hereford. This enables us to make a significant contribution to improving the educational, social and economic outcomes for our students and communities in our wider region.” 

The University’s KEF submission included examples of key regeneration projects, such as the £100m Wolverhampton Springfield Campus, £9m Midlands Centre for Cyber Security in Hereford and £5m Marches Centre for Excellence in Allied Health and Social Care in Telford which have involved strong partnership working between the University, Local Enterprise Partnerships, local councils and wider partner stakeholder groups from both public and private sector. 

A number of examples of the University’s engagement with the community were featured in the submission, including its work with partners on the Wolverhampton City Learning Region, the launch of regional learning centres such as University Centre Telford and the work of the Centre for Sikh and Panjabi Studies. Other key findings showed the University is in the top 30% for intellectual property (IP) and commercialisation. It also highlighted that Wolverhampton is in the top 40% for working with businesses and top 40% for working with the public and third sector. 

Over 100 of the institutions involved (117 out of 135), including the University of Wolverhampton, provided detailed narrative accounts of the work they do to build public and community engagement, and to promote economic growth in their local area. These narratives are published in full on the KEF website. 

This is the first time that detailed, qualitative information about how HEPs build community engagement and promote growth in their local areas has been collected together in a structured and systematic way allowing for easy comparison. The narratives paint a detailed, never seen before picture of how HEPs engage with their communities to build deeper relationships and to stimulate local growth. 

Examples of the kinds of projects detailed in the narratives include working with local partners to:

·         redevelop and reinvigorate previously disused brownfield sites 

·         identify skill gaps and develop curricula and courses to address them 

·         boost research and development to attract investment in the local area 

The KEF compares institutions on a like-for-like basis, with similar institutions being grouped together with their peers in ‘KEF clusters’ based on factors like their size, specialisation and the intensity of their research activities. This is a more fair and balanced approach that avoids making unhelpful comparisons between incomparable institutions. 

The data that underpins the KEF informs a series of metrics covering a wide range of a university’s activities. These then go into seven perspectives, for which each receives a decile score displayed in relation to the average for its cluster. 

The website displays all this information in easily interpreted, visually interesting charts and graphs that allow easy comparison of institutions’ strengths. Presenting this information in an easy to use way will help them analyse their own performance in a new level of detail. 

University sees boost in exchange students from top Indian universities

A joint international conference co-led by the Research Institute for Healthcare Science (RHIS) at the University of Wolverhampton has boosted the exchange of biomedical research students from top Indian universities to study at the University of Wolverhampton.

The University hosted a joint online health research conference ‘Trends in Chemical, Nano and Synthetic Biology (ICCNSB) 2021’ with Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) University and the Society of Synthetic and Chemical Biology (SCSB) last week, with an aim to showcase the opportunities available to students via the University’s Indian Research Student Exchange Scheme (IRSES) programme.

Unlike programmes for other countries, Jamaica has no vaccine injury compensation program even as adverse events rise

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UNWTO Communication, Media and Tourism Training in Africa Workshop

The first UNWTO Communication, Media and Tourism Training in Africa Workshop organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) was in the majestic Victoria Falls, from 13 to 15 November 2023 bringing together tourism professionals, journalists, media and communication specialists drawn from 20 countries in the Africa region.

UNWTO makes communities the centrepiece of tourism’s future

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As restrictions on travel continue to be steadily eased or lifted, UNWTO is shifting its focus from supporting its Members as they mitigate the impacts of the historic crisis to rethinking tourism’s longer-term role in building resilience and providing opportunity.

UNWTO makes strong case at WTTC Summit

At the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit, taking place this week in the Saudi capital, UNWTO stressed the vital importance of education and investments as twin factors in ensuring tourism fulfils its enormous potential as a driver of sustainable and inclusive development. The high-level participation of UNWTO in this leading private sector forum further highlighted the Organization’s unique and natural ability to connect political ambitions and private sector capacity.

UNWTO Secretary-General meets Spanish Tourism Minister

The recovery of the global tourism sector in 2023 and the good prospects for 2024 were the focus of the meeting held today between the Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organisation, Zurab Pololikashvili, and the Minister of Industry and Tourism of the Kingdom of Spain, Jordi Hereu.

UNWTO, Tourism Ministers from the Americas Agree on Travel Relaunch

Dominican Republic Minister of Tourism David Collado along with 15 more ministers and vice ministers of tourism of the Americas established partnership agreements and procedures for relaunching tourism in the region in a meeting called by the World Tourism Organization and led in its inauguration by Luis Abinader, President of Dominican Republic.

Tourism leaders in the Americas committed to jointly addressing the reactivation of tourism, making the sector a priority and adopting international protocols. Additionally, they agreed to emphasize innovation and digital transformation, develop sustainable tourism and strengthen support mechanisms for workers and impacted companies.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Zurab Pololikashvili commended the way Dominican Republic has handled the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and highlighted that “reestablishing trust in travel is a key first step towards tourism recovery, bringing hope to millions of people in the Americas and igniting the economic recuperation in general.”

In his welcome to the Tourism ministers and representatives from throughout the Americas, President Luis Abinader highlighted the role of UNWTO as a catalyst for innovation and synergies and called on those present to strengthen themselves as a shared destination and as a region through unity, determination, focus and joint vision.

Reestablishing trust in travel is a key first step towards tourism recovery, bringing hope to millions of people in the Americas and igniting the economic recuperation in general

Minister Collado stressed that the tourism sector generates employment opportunities for more than 500,000 families and contributes 15% of the country's Gross Domestic Product. Similarly, he endorsed the commitment "with the Dominicans, with sector partners and with the millions of tourists who are eagerly waiting to visit and know the beautiful destinations within Dominican Republic."

Among the main topics of discussion included re-establishing confidence in travel, protecting businesses and jobs, and ensuring that the benefits of the tourism revival are felt beyond the industry itself. The working sessions were attended in person by ministers and vice ministers of Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, Uruguay and Venezuela, and virtually by government officials from Argentina, Barbados, Bolivia, Chile, Nicaragua, and Peru.

The meetings were developed with the coordination of the host country through the Ministry of Tourism of Dominican Republic, with the participation of representatives of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Association of Hotels and Tourism of Dominican Republic, among other sector organizations.

The summit ended with attendees signing the Declaration of Punta Cana which sealed the commitment of the regional leaders to make tourism a pillar of sustainable development and ensure an effective recovery plan post-COVID.

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After a presentation at the Library of Birmingham, he then joined council representatives to inspect the Birmingham 2022 countdown clock in Centenary Square.

Uptick in U.S. Hispanics turning to political life

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US agencies publish Covid origin report

The US intelligence community has been unable to determine the origins of Covid-19, and is split on whether it leaked from a lab or developed in nature, according to a new report. The report issued by the office that oversees the nation's 18 spy agencies did conclusively determine that it was not developed as a biological weapon.

Experts warn that time is running out to gather evidence of its beginnings.

US and Japan warn people to get away from shore as precaution against tsunami

The US and Japan have advised people on their Pacific coastlines to get away from the shore as a precaution against tsunami waves caused by a volcano eruption in the South Pacific.

Japan has warned of waves as high as three metres, and waves of 1.2 metres hit the south of the country. The US warned of strong currents and waves, and coastal flooding.

US call for religious freedom at UN General Assembly

In a speech during the United Nations General Assembly, United States President Donald Trump announced a “global call to protect religious freedom.”

His speech was the first time that a sitting US President has ever spoken on the issue of religious freedom at the UN.

“Religious freedom is a fundamental right that all countries are called to protect,” said Kelsey Zorzi, ADF International’s Director of Global Religious Freedom and President of the UN’s NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief.

“The President’s speech was an important and historic moment precisely because religious freedom is too often ignored or downplayed at the UN. At a time when persecution is on the rise and over 80% of the world’s population lives in countries with high restrictions on religious freedom, every country should make securing religious freedom a high priority.”

The goal of President Trump’s speech was to highlight and broaden international support for religious freedom. He spoke of increasing attacks on houses of worship and religious sites.

Over 150 foreign leaders, faith leaders, victims of persecution, and religious freedom activists attended for the President’s speech.

Vice President Mike Pence also gave an opening remark.

Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”

Religious freedom has become a central pillar of US foreign policy. In July 2019, the State Department hosted over 100 foreign delegations and 1000 civil society members during its second Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom.

President Trump also met with more than 30 victims of persecution in the Oval Office at that time. He was expected to raise the issue with multiple heads of state in bilateral discussions during high-level week at the UN General Assembly.

The United States also hosted side events on the mass detention of Uyghur Muslims in China, and on the links between religious freedom and economic development.

The 74th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 74) opened in New York, on September 17, 2019.

US citizens return to Syria for the first time since Covid

Syria has begun granting visas again for US citizens, after a period of difficult travel conditions to the country for Americans. Syria closed to tourists when the COVID pandemic initially struck 2 years ago and gradually reintroduced visas for visitors from certain destinations – including the UK and EU. 

However, restrictions remained in place for US citizens, with no visas being issued, until last month. The country has now relaxed its US ruling and it means Americans can now join us on our fixed date group adventure in September to Syria, as well as private trips at any time of the year.  

US commemorate the end of slavery by recognising Juneteenth

This week, US President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, which establishes a holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the country.

US company champions women workers in India

The United States encourages American businesses with employees around the world to protect their workers’ rights and decrease their negative effects on the environment. Gap Inc., the largest U.S. specialty retail company, has heeded the call and implemented policies to improve business performance, protect human rights and reduce environmental impacts.

US company launches tech careers in Costa Rica

Students in Costa Rica are learning the science, technology and English language skills needed to excel at international companies.

U.S. tech firm Intel’s cooperation with the Skills 4 Life program helped train more than 160 students from Costa Rica’s Limón province in 2021. Approximately 170 kilometers east of San José on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, Limón is home to many people of Indigenous and African descent who are underrepresented in higher education.

US Congress introduce Diwali Day Act to declare festival as federal holiday

Lawmakers in the US have announced that a bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives to declare Diwali a federal holiday.

The landmark legislation is co-sponsored by a number of lawmakers, including Indo-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi. Led by New York Congressman Carolyn B Maloney, the festival of lights was supported by The House Foreign Affairs Committee will support, defend and advance on the bill.

US federal agencies mobilise for Maui wildfire disaster response

More than a dozen federal agencies and departments are mobilised to assist state, county, nonprofit and private sector partners to help the people of Hawaii with recent devastating wildfires.

Personnel from FEMA, federal agencies and voluntary organizations are arriving daily to Hawaii to support active response and initial recovery efforts. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell is in Hawaii today with U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell and Administrator Isabella Guzman of the U.S. Small Business Administration to meet with Gov. Josh Green and other officials to assess the damage.