Universitas 21 member, the University of Birmingham is an Official Partner of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, and is the Official Global University Partner of the Queen’s Baton Relay.
Global University Partner status for the Queen’s Baton Relay (international sector), which includes high-profile international baton bearer opportunities, allows the University to accelerate its international ambitions and strengthen Commonwealth connections as the Baton travels through 72 Commonwealth territories. These countries include countries with U21 members such as India, Singapore, Australia and Canada.
Professor Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Birmingham commented: “The University of Birmingham is a civic university with a global outlook and our Commonwealth connections are deep and wide-ranging – particularly with our partners in U21.
“Sport is a unifying force and, as part of our commitment to supporting the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, we are holding a series of academic, student and partner events in Commonwealth countries to coincide with the Queen’s Baton Relay visit.
“I am delighted that we can hold these exciting events, focussing on how we work collaboratively with research and education partners to tackle global challenges and help improve the quality of life for people across the Commonwealth and beyond.”
In Australia, the Baton visited U21 member University of Melbourne - celebrating a long-standing partnership with a student-focussed Batonbearer event on the iconic campus. Seven outstanding students and alumni were chosen to be Batonbearers including a Raymond Priestley Scholar, exchange students and alumni, and University of Melbourne elite athletes and aspiring Commonwealth Games 2022 participants. The event was attended by the Deputy British Consul General.
The Baton also visited India, wherea number of virtual events ranging from a workshop on sports science, to a panel discussion on gender equality were hosted. Vinisha Umashankar was chosen as the University of Birmingham Batonbearer - a young innovator known for her solar ironing cart invention, and who spoke at COP26, urging our leaders to do better.
From the 26th-29th May, the Baton will be visiting Canada, and the University has arranged for a Batonbearer moment at McMaster University, a key partner and fellow U21 member. On top of this, academics from the University of Birmingham and McMaster are currently collaborating to put on a series of academic and public events, including a public research fair and symposium on the theme of healthy ageing.
The Baton has also visited other countries with U21 members such as South Africa, Singapore and New Zealand, and is due to visit Scotland in June.
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- Amber Bartlett