Information on Loughborough

Award-winning student set for Taiwan trip

Posted on 27/10/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council

26 October 2009

Award-winning student set for Taiwan trip

An award-winning film has landed a Loughborough student a ticket to the other side of the world.

Fourteen-year-old Simran Nagra will take part in international finals in Taiwan next month after her film about life as a global citizen clinched the top UK prize.

At the event in Taipei, Simran will join young winners from Japan, Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam and work with them over three days exploring themes including climate change, sport, health, science and invention.

They will also visit different areas of the country to research their topics, in order to present their findings to more than 280 teachers and education ministry officials.

Simran said: "It’s been really interesting working with our partners in Thailand and Malaysia and has helped me understand why it is important not just to think about where we live, but to be aware and in touch with the world around us.

"I’m really excited about going to Taiwan and getting to know students from so many different countries.”

Ivan Ould, County Council Cabinet Member for the Children and Young People's Service, said: "This is a wonderful achievement for Simran which opens up a once in a lifetime experience at the international finals in Taiwan.

"This project broadens pupils’ international horizons, increases motivation in the classroom and prepare young people for life in a global society."

The award was presented to Simran by Professor Jimmy Choo at a ceremony held in London earlier this month. Simran attends Burleigh Community College but was at Garendon High School when she entered the contest.

The competition is part of a British Council's Connecting Classrooms project aiming to link up seven East Asian countries with regions of the UK and enable schools to work together online.

It was split into four categories - film, poem, poster or 3D model - and was open to schools across the UK and seven Asian countries involved in the partnership programme.

Notes:

To arrange interviews or photos with Simran, please contact Burleigh Community College on 01509 554400.

For more information about Connecting Classrooms, please contact Rachel Woods on 020 7389 4683 or Rachel.woods@britishcouncil.org.