News in brief: autumn 2026

A new collaboration between the University and Shanghai-based charity YZL Foundation will enable students from disadvantaged backgrounds to transform their career prospects and contribute to society.

Each year, one outstanding student will be selected and offered a fully funded postgraduate scholarship at Birmingham. The collaboration will also offer exclusive internship placements in China with a range of high-profile global organisations to current students and recent graduates.

The agreement, signed by Professor Adam Tickell, University of Birmingham Vice-Chancellor and Principal, and YZL Foundation founder, Birmingham alumnus Mr Shenshou Zhang (MSc Development Management, 2014), reinforces the University’s strong ties with its international students and alumni community.

Professor Tickell said: ‘Our partnership reflects the University of Birmingham’s position as a global civic university. We want to ensure that our students, wherever they come from, succeed academically, thrive in their future careers, and make a difference in society.’

An agreement between longstanding academic partners the University of Birmingham and the University of Lagos, Nigeria, has been signed to explore the expansion of high-quality transnational education (TNE).

The partnership goal is to see Birmingham-validated study programmes starting in Lagos from 2027.

The UK Government’s recent International Education Strategy highlights that TNE has become an essential tool for higher education institutions to become a force for societal progress.

The two universities will work closely with Nigeria’s Ministry of Education to develop a Transnational Education Unit, based in Lagos. Possible areas of focus for the 2027 programme include Applied Artificial Intelligence and Digital Communications and Media.

Nigerian Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa said: ‘This partnership reflects exactly what the University of Birmingham brings to the fore – academic excellence, innovation, and global relevance.’

Professor Nick Vaughan-Williams, Provost and Vice-Principal, University of Birmingham, said: ‘When universities work together with humility, ambition, and shared purpose, the results change lives for the better.’

In October, the universities launched two joint postgraduate study programmes to be delivered in Lagos. Teaching on the one-year MSc Artificial Intelligence & Data Technologies and MA Digital Media & Communications will start in September 2027.

The long-time support of alumnus and donor Robert Spier (BCom Industrial Economics and Business Studies, 1958) was recognised in July as he was inducted into the University’s Chancellor’s Guild of Benefactors, reflecting his generous donations towards brain tumour research in memory of his wife Jean.

He is pictured with Dr Himani Rana (PhD Metabolism and Systems Research, 2024), who was alumni representative for the ceremony and also the first PhD student supported by Robert’s philanthropy.

Robert said: ‘I am very honoured to receive this recognition, which is really a reflection of Jean. Since losing her, I’ve come to understand just how much more research is needed to improve outcomes for patients and their families living with a brain tumour. Supporting brain tumour research at Birmingham seemed a fitting way to honour her memory.’