University of Wolverhampton on Indian Mission

Recently, British Council hosted an evening in honour of Lord Swraj Paul, Chancellor, University of Wolverhampton on his visit to India and the sub-continent.

The evening witnessed the formal announcement of scholarship made by The University of Wolverhampton  working through the charity ‘Child & Women Care Society’ the University announced to provide opportunities for twelve intakes of 5 children from disadvantaged backgrounds, many of which will be from some of the most deprived areas of the country. This would encourage children to attain their best and work hard to get this facility. This is indeed a very noble step towards upliftment of the deprived class.

 Charlie Walker,Director Programme,British Council,Jo Gittens-Director International-University of Wolverhampton,Prof.Geoff Layer-Vice Chancellor,Lord Paul with girl children holding the scholarship awarded to

A delegation from the University of Wolverhampton was in India to raise the profile of the University, city and Black Country region. The trip was led by the University’s Chancellor, the Rt Hon Lord Paul of Marylebone PC and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Geoff Layer.

It involved meeting with education providers, representatives of Government, business and investment bodies and Alumni of the University. In India the delegation visited Delhi, where the University’s South East Asia Regional Office is based.  The visit included a visit to a local school, meetings with UKTI (UK Trade and Investment) and an event hosted by the British Council in Delhi celebrating the links between Wolverhampton and India.

Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Geoff Layer said: “Just looking at our India connections we have more than 2,000 graduates from India alone and they add to the rich cultural mix and economy of our region when are with us.Some of our esteemed honorary graduates include the current president, the Honourable Shri Pranab Mukherjee." He further added,“Education can change and improve people’s lives and we think it is vital that we seek to work with partners around the world to share knowledge, best practice and build a culture of lifelong learning.”

Charlie Walker,Director Programme,British Council,Lord Paul,Prof.Geoff Layer-Vice Chancellor

While addressing the gathering,Lord Swraj Paul,Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton said, "By 2020 India will have the largest working age population in the world, the kind of manpower that will help sustain economic growth for a generation.Education and skills training is needed for intensive manufacturing industries. The nation is looking to train 500 million people by 2020 to produce a competitive labour force."
He further added,"UK universities offer great education and access to world class research and I want to tell you that the UK and Wolverhampton welcomes international students- they are vital to our economy and rich cultural mix."

Zindagi Live Felicitates Woman with Extraordinary Courage:Ummul Khair

You cannot push anyone up the ladder unless he/she is willing to climb.
                                                                              Andrew Carnegie

 

I have met people who have nothing but complaints about life, about system, about surroundings, about what not. They are blessed people with both hands, both legs, a good pair of eyes,a presentable face; but still they do not know how to count their blessings. For people like them, one meeting with Ummul Khair can change their perspective towards life.

Ummaul Khair, a girl with Cerebral Palsy; an incurable disorder, is about to complete her Bachelor of Law from Chennai. Some people might say what a big deal; but the million dollar answer is that she is doing it with the help of an NGO, not parents. Unfortunately, she is not only has a physical disorder(in eyes of world,not for her), she has suffered because of poverty, deprivations like a general person. Not only this, she lost her father few years back which compelled her younger brother to leave studies, come forward and earn livelihood at a young age. Ummul regrets that because of her expensive medication and caring, her brother could not complete good education. Now in a world, where people think about themselves first, Ummul took the initiative and approached an NGO at Chennai named Vidya Sagar to help her to get education  and care when she was 20 years of age. Ummul,now 35, had not only relieved her family, she has persuaded her dream of becoming a lawyer someday. She dreams of fighting court trials someday and become a successful lawyer. After meeting Ummul my faith in 'power of mind' has strengthened many folds.

 

 

Ummul has received Zindagi Live award from CNN IBN for courage to face life & its difficulties. The prize comprised of a trophy and a cheque of 1 lakh Rupees. Ummul is very pleased by her achievements, specially by this award. Zindagi live has felicitated Ummul for her courage and intelligence. Among 8 winners, she was the only disabled winner a cerebral palsy disorder person who has to spend her life on a wheelchair. Ummul sincerely wants to call her differently abled,so are we. While talking to her I completely forgot that she is on a wheel chair. Her witty answers were making atmosphere so light, her "shero shayari" were so intellectual and full of courage, that you surrender to respect and nothing else.

 

Ummul shares that she is a romantic person. Instead of complaining she considers her disorder a blessing in disguise. She says that since she hails from a muslim falmily, and if she would have been normal she might have been married and have kids by now. The dream of being educated and having a career would have taken a backseat. But since she is differently abled, she got an opportunity to explore life and look beyond horizons.  A shy Ummul shares that its nothing like she doesn't want to get married; she wants to, she wants to have a life partner of her dreams, she is just waiting for the right person.

 Ummul is an example of tremendous energy and strength. We must learn the art of living from her.

Ummul doing Rappling at an event: Disability doesn't stop her from trying new things.