College Sponsors British Arab Federation Launch

Walsall College recently showed its support for the British Arab Federation of the West Midlands by sponsoring the launch dinner on Friday 27th May.

The event was held at Birmingham City Council House, in order to officially mark the establishment of the new federation.

Walsall College was just one of a range of local organisations to support the launch of the British Arab Federation of the West Midlands by sponsoring the event, including Birmingham City University, Birmingham City Council, Yemeni Community Association (Sandwell) and University of Wolverhampton.

The event coincided with a visit from representatives of the Council of Arab ambassadors to the City of Birmingham and the West Midlands. During the day, 17 ambassadors undertook a programme of activities around the West Midlands, hosted by Birmingham City Council. In the evening their Excellencies then attended the British Arab Federation’s dinner to meet with members of the British Arab community, business leaders and politicians.

Fadel Takrouri, Chairman of the British Arab Federation of the West Midlands, opened the dinner with a speech that identified the need for the British Arab community to play a more active role in UK society while also defining the organisations ambitions for delivering this: “By demonstrating… the West Midlands is a friendly, accessible place for our people, the region will stand a better chance of attracting more investment and, for the sake of future prosperity, a better chance at attracting the brightest students to our outstanding, local academic institutions.”

Councillor Alan Rudge from Birmingham City Council’s Equality and Diversity Division said: “The British Arab Federation of the West Midlands is a great initiative that will lead to better integration of Birmingham’s British Arabs as well as generating opportunities for both the city’s British Arab community and, importantly, for all people living and working in the city and the wider region.”

Manjeet Kumari-Lal, Head of International at Walsall College added: “We were delighted to sponsor the launch of the British Arab Foundation of the West Midlands. Students from the Middle East are one of our most prominent student groups at the College and we are very proud to offer our support”.