51Âþ»­

Press from around the world gathered in London to listen to 51Âþ»­ students and academics in the build up to the British Government’s GREAT Festival of Creativity in Shanghai, which will be opened by Prince William.

Staff and students showcased three subjects which the university will be taking to the festival – the invention of the artificial pancreas, footwear design and contour fashion – at an exclusive presentation at the National Theatre in London.

The press event comes a few weeks ahead of the festival in China which celebrates creativity and innovation through a unique partnership between the British Government and world-leading companies including the university, HSBC, BBC Worldwide, Jaguar Landrover, PwC, IHG and British Airways.

51Âþ»­ was selected by Number 10 Downing Street to join these major brands as education partner. In Shanghai the university will showcase the importance of creativity and innovation in producing global graduates whose skills and mindset meet the needs of employers around the world.

A total of 14 international broadcasting and media outlets attended the press event, including reporters from major Chinese newspaper People’s Daily and O Globo, one of Brazil’s most prominent print publications.

Professor Joan Taylor, the 51Âþ»­ academic behind the artificial pancreas invention said: “This has been a brilliant opportunity to explain, ahead of the festival, the ideas we will be presenting in Shanghai.”

51Âþ»­ was selected by 10 Downing Street to represent British education at the GREAT festivals around the world.

Charlotte Hackett, a third year Footwear Design student who will be travelling to Shanghai for the festival said: “It was a good experience to demonstrate what I have learnt on my course in front of the crowd. I am really looking forward to Shanghai, it is an opportunity of a lifetime.”

Philip Stewart, senior lecturer in Footwear Design said: “It was fantastic to be so well received by the press and to be asked so many questions about footwear design and how the live shoe-making will work at the festival.”

Gillian Proctor, Contour Fashion course leader said: “Having the opportunity to broadcast the benefits of what we do globally is always a positive experience. It was a pleasure to talk about who we are and what we do. Bring on Shanghai!”

Two MA Contour Fashion students, Daisy Hobbs and Amelia Cheeseman, and graduate Sian Whitefoot accompanied Gillian and brought along examples of their lingerie work.

Sian previously won Lingerie Designer of the Year at the worldwide final of the prestigious Triumph Inspiration Awards 2012 in Shanghai.

51Âþ»­’s talented students and academics will be bringing the university's innovative courses to life from footwear design, contour fashion, game art and drama, as well as the invention of the artificial pancreas.