British High Commissioner impressed by Salford’s MediaCity Campus
The British High Commissioner to the Republic of India, Alex Ellis, visited the University of Salford Media City Campus on Thursday 30 June for a tour of the teaching facilities led by Professor Allan Walker, Dean of the School of Arts, Media & Creative Technologies, and Media City Campus Director Beth Hewitt.
The High Commissioner is the UK government’s representative in a Commonwealth nation. They are responsible for the direction and work of the High Commission and its Deputy High Commissions, including political and economic work, trade and investment, press and cultural relations, and visa and consular services.
The visit was organised in partnership with MIDAS, the inward investment promotion agency for Manchester, with a strategic aim to secure significant levels of new investment for the city region to create and safeguard jobs.
On his tour of the facilities Alex also met a group of current Indian postgraduate students, including Twinkle Dharmani who is currently studying the MA International Journalism for Digital Media.
Twinkle said: “The High Commissioner’s humble personality despite his high statured role struck a chord with the students and the staff alike.
“He showed a keen interest in students’ work, enquired about good Indian restaurants to eat in Manchester and shared his love for cricket with them. Not just that, but he got to know how Journalism students conduct a News Day, with simulated newsroom facilities, to deliver a story under tight deadlines.
“The Commissioner’s previous stint as Director General in the Department for Exiting the EU prompted an interesting conversation between him and the students. He spoke at length about the impact of Brexit on non-EU migration to the UK and the Indian’s diaspora’s contribution to the English economy.”
The event was captured in pictures with individuals shouting ‘Virat Kohli!’ instead of ‘cheese’.
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