UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 28 JANUARY 2015
“Birmingham has an indigenous skills shortage, despite our world class universities. Too often we bring in talented people and give them the skills they need, just for them to leave again” claimed MP Gisela Stuart at a Birmingham City University graduation ceremony this week.
Gisela was presented with an Honorary Doctorate degree, on Tuesday 27 January where she spoke of some of the issues affecting the region and the opportunities available to the city’s newest graduates.
“One of the difficulties we face in Birmingham is the city produces 40,000 graduates a year, but when you look at the percentage of the population with a degree we are one of the lowest.
“We need universities not just to bring students in but to encourage them to stay on after their degrees. I don’t just want you to be a Birmingham graduate, I want you to stay in Birmingham.”
Gisela also spoke of the opportunities available to Faculty of Health students who graduated on the same day: “Health students in Birmingham are quite literally in the centre of world excellence in terms of health care. The excellence that is being developed in Birmingham at every level is outstanding, and I do believe the future of the city lies in the life sciences.”
Gisela’s comments follow last week’s announcement by the University that it will be investing £20m in new facilities at the campus in Edgbaston for a newly created School of Life Sciences, which will offer a range of courses in health, nutrition and biomedicine.
German born Gisela became the first Labour Party Member of Parliament for Birmingham Edgbaston, and continued a proud tradition of women MPs in the constituency when she was elected in 1997.
On receiving her award she said: “To receive an Honorary Doctorate from the University, something which someone else chooses to bestow on you, is a real honour.”