Inez Brown, a prominent lawyer and advocate for equality and diversity in the legal profession, has been awarded an honorary degree by Aston University.

She received the honour at a ceremony at Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on 27 July 2023.

Dr Brown has had an illustrious career in the legal profession spanning over 20 years, during which she has risen from a legal secretary to partner and former head of clinical negligence at Medical Accident Group for 11 years.

She has been recognised for her contributions by being named Law Society Partner of the Year in 2016 and being inaugurated as the first black president of Birmingham Law Society in 2020, where she has served as an ambassador and leader in the legal profession, forging partnerships with local businesses and communities.

In her role as president, she has helped to grow the Society’s membership and set up its first diversity and inclusion scheme, which has provided scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds and underrepresented groups.

Inez has also been appointed as the regional chair of the Institute of Directors, overseeing East and West Midlands where she provides support to seven branch chairs and business director members.

Dr Brown said:

“I am humbled and honoured to be awarded an honorary degree by Aston University.

“I am dedicated to ‘giving back’, inspiring and creating a legacy for the younger generation.

“I would like to thank Aston University for recognising my achievements.”

Professor Zoe Radnor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean of the College of Business and Social Sciences at Aston University, said:

“I am thrilled that the University has decided to honour Inez Brown with this well-deserved award.

“Her dedication to promoting equality and diversity in the legal profession and supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds is an inspiration to us all.”

The first students to complete the ONCAMPUS Aston programme have graduated from their postgraduate courses.

Libina Scaria from India and Whitney Nga from Cameroon joined the University in January 2022. After successfully passing a one term masters foundation programme to improve their English while learning the study skills and research methods needed for Master’s degree studies, they progressed onto postgraduate degrees in human resource management and accounting and finance respectively.

The partnership between Aston University and Cambridge Education Group (CEG), based at the University’s campus, offers pathway programmes designed for international students who do not meet the requirements for direct entry to university.

The programmes help students develop the key academic and English language skills needed to succeed in their degree level studies, with the aim of maximising every student’s potential.

Professor Kathy Daniels, Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor (Engagement) at Aston University, said:

“It is fantastic to see the first students progress from ONCAMPUS Aston to the University.

“Since ONCAMPUS Aston opened in September 2021 we have seen hundreds of students enrol, and we look forward to many more graduates in the future.”

Chris Hooper, director of Global Study Centres, CEG, said:

“We are delighted to see the first ONCAMPUS pre-master’s students graduating to receive their master’s degree from Aston University.

“We are certain they will go on to do achieve great things in their fields.

“These are the first two of many success stories to come, as our ONCAMPUS Aston centre continues to grow and help more international students prepare for their Aston University degree programmes.”

International students have the opportunity to study a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at Aston University through ONCAMPUS Aston including business, finance, engineering, the health professions and law.

Deborah Cadman OBE, chief executive of Birmingham City Council, has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Aston University for her significant contribution to public service.

The Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) was conferred on Friday 28 July at a graduation ceremony at Eastside Rooms in Birmingham.

Deborah has nearly 40 years of experience in public service and has served as the chief executive of local authorities for around 14 years, leading district, county and city councils.

She was appointed as the first chief executive of West Midlands Combined Authority in 2017 and is currently a trustee of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, a commissioner on the Social Integration Commission and a trustee on the Centre for Cities.

In recognition of her exceptional leadership skills and commitment to public service, Deborah was awarded an OBE for services to local government in 2006 and has been listed in Local Government Chronicle’s ‘100 Most Influential in the Sector’. She holds a degree in politics and a masters degree in economics and management practice.

On receiving the award, Dr Cadman said:

“It is an honour to be awarded a Doctorate in Business Administration and to be recognised for my contribution to public service and to the city of Birmingham. I am proud to be associated with Aston University and its commitments to diversity and academic excellence.”

Professor Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Aston University, said:

“I am delighted to award an honorary doctorate to Deborah Cadman in recognition of her outstanding leadership and contributions to public service.

“Deborah has demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout her professional career dedicated to public service, advocating, developing and maintaining the highest standards in providing services to the public, supporting communities and city regeneration and demonstrating commitment to equality and diversity.

“Her career spanning almost four decades is an inspiration to our students and graduates who aspire to make a positive impact in their communities.”

Since 1980, over 900 scientists and engineers across five science, technology, and innovation fellowship programs have served at the Department. These fellows provide offices a consistent stream of high-quality expertise to inform the Department’s foreign policy, diplomacy, and national security. Fellows work across the Department and serve in a variety of roles ranging from dedicated scientific advisers to portfolio managers and country desk officers. They provide the Department specialized knowledge on key related topics and connect the Department with their expert network of scientific contacts. These fellows are critical for providing an accurate and timely understanding of scientific issues so the Department can establish sound, evidence-based foreign policy.

Illicit production and trafficking of synthetic drugs pose a serious global health and security challenge and directly contribute to the U.S. opioid overdose epidemic. As part of President Biden’s National Drug Control Strategy, we are focused on both strengthening public health and systematically dismantling the global infrastructure of those who profit from the death of Americans, including by cutting off criminal actors’ access to the international financial system. Today’s actions are a crucial part of the United States government’s strengthened approach  to saving lives by disrupting the trafficking of illicit fentanyl and its precursors into American communities and dismantling transnational criminal organizations responsible for the illicit distribution of fentanyl and other dangerous narcotics. The United States is fully committed to leading this critical mission on a global scale.

Kathmandu: Sarswati Nepali received the prestigious Secretary’s Award for Global Anti-Racism Champions. Sarswati’s tireless advocacy sets a remarkable example for all, and this is a well-deserved recognition of her unwavering commitment to advancing the human rights of the Dalit community and other marginalized racial and ethnic groups.

Russia is preparing for its Lunar Mission “Luna 25” to reach Moon’s South Pole before India. The launch is scheduled from Russia’s Vostochny cosmodrome on Friday. Luna 25 is expected to land on 21/22 August before Chandrayaan-3.

Roscosmos has said the two missions would not get in each other’s way because they have different landing areas planned.

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) and China Medical University, Taiwan, have taken a momentous step towards strengthening academic and research ties with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The signing ceremony took place on August 3, 2023, at Manipal, with distinguished representatives from both institutions present to mark this historic occasion.

Initiated and nurtured by the efforts of Dr Nirmal Mazumder, Assistant Professor at Manipal School of Life Sciences (MSLS) and Dr Fu-Jen Kao, Professor at National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan, with the support of Dr K.K. Mahato (Head, Department of Biophysics, MSLS) and Dr Satish Rao B.S. (Director-Research MAHE and Director, MSLS), the MoU, signed by Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M.D. Venkatesh, Vice-Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education, and Dr. Guan-Yu Zhuo, Associate Professor at China Medical University, Taiwan, aims to establish a robust framework for collaborative research programs between the two esteemed institutions. As a recognized “Institution of Eminence” by the Government of India, Manipal-based MAHE has earned a reputation as a leading academic and research institution, imparting high-quality education across various disciplines.

China Medical University, Taiwan, is renowned as a world-class institution offering students a comprehensive, interdisciplinary education with a global perspective. The collaboration between these two distinguished institutions is poised to create significant advancements in the realms of academia and research, especially in the area of biophysics and life sciences.

Speaking at the ceremony, Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M.D. Venkatesh, Vice-Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education emphasized MAHE’s commitment to nurturing global citizens through structured academic programs. He expressed his enthusiasm for this collaboration, believing it would pave the way for innovative research endeavours that address pressing social needs and lauded the efforts of the team at MSLS involved in nurturing this collaboration. Dr. Guan-Yu Zhuo echoed these sentiments, attributing the success of this collaboration to the dedicated efforts of students and faculty from both institutions. With their support, he envisioned a promising future for joint research initiatives that would make a positive impact on society.

This partnership opens doors to a wealth of opportunities for faculty, researchers, and students from both institutions to engage in meaningful knowledge exchange and research-driven projects. The collaborative efforts will undoubtedly enhance cross-cultural understanding and contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge.

As this MoU marks the beginning of an exciting journey for MAHE and China Medical University, it reaffirms their shared commitment to promoting academic excellence and creating a positive impact on global society.

The signing ceremony was graced by the esteemed presence of Dr. Fu-Jen Kao, Professor at National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan, along with other key officials from both MAHE and China Medical University. Dr. Sharath K. Rao, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) at MAHE, and Dr. Karunakar Kotegar, Director – International Relations at MAHE, were among the representatives of the host institution.

As part of a new collaboration, the Eshelman Institute for Innovation (EII), within the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, will work with Aston University on a three-year project focused on preventing damage caused by swelling of the central nervous system (CNS).

EII issued a US$400,000 grant to co-principal investigators, Dr Kevin Frankowski, assistant professor for the Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery at the Eshelman School of Pharmacy, and Professor Roslyn Bill, professor of biotechnology at Aston University, to develop treatments for CNS swelling.

The EII was established in 2014 with a $100 million commitment from Dr Fred Eshelman, and provides translational grant funding to Carolina faculty for therapeutic research focused on oncology, infectious disease, and neuroscience (including rare diseases); however, the EII welcomes ideas for devices and diagnostics, and other therapeutic areas and services. Through their grant mechanism, the EII encourages research proposals that include a broad spectrum of scientific engagement through meaningful collaborations across a variety of diverse disciplines, departments, schools, and institutions.

Dr John Bamforth, executive director of the EII and a former graduate of Aston University, said:

“We are extremely excited to see this collaboration begin. EII embraces bringing together the brightest and best scientists to solve major patient needs. Personally, it is also a delight to see the number one school of pharmacy in the US partner with Aston.”

Frankowksi said:

“The validation of non-surgical approaches to treat the CNS swelling that may occur following a stroke or traumatic brain or spine injuries remains a critical unmet medical challenge. Safe and effective treatment options are urgently needed for the millions of patients worldwide who suffer from these injuries every year. I am excited to partner with Roslyn Bill and her team to develop first-in-class small molecule candidates as potential therapeutic agents to treat the underlying cause of CNS swelling post stroke or accident.”

Both Frankowski and Bill bring unique and necessary knowledge to the table for this project. The opportunity to work together, research and develop new therapeutic agents is only possible because of EII.

“It gives me unparalleled access to the medicinal chemistry expertise at EII and I’ll be working with a world expert in their neuropharmacology area, Kevin Frankowski. That will allow us to combine the discovery that I’ve made on the biological mechanism behind traumatic brain injury and Kevin’s deep knowledge of the chemistry. I can’t think of a better partner for that. This work will get us closer to a medicine for people who’ve had a traumatic injury to the brain or spinal cord. There’s currently nothing available so the potential is huge,” said Bill.