Ulster University’s Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (AHSS), in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast, hosted a series of events celebrating Indian arts and culture in Belfast during October.
These events aimed to strengthen academic links, promote cultural exchange and showcase Belfast as a global cultural hub.
A Strategic Vision for AHSS
While global recruitment of students from India has traditionally focused on business and engineering disciplines, AHSS is actively expanding its reach in this important market. By supporting and sponsoring cultural events, such as this Festival, the Faculty is raising its international profile as a forward-thinking, inclusive space deeply connected to the global creative arts scene.
Through events such as this, AHSS aims to highlight its diverse subject offerings, from Film and Performing Arts to History, Drama, Music and International Relations, and to showcase its strengths in cultural engagement, global partnership and interdisciplinary learning.
Felicitation Ceremony in Belfast City Hall
The celebrations began with a dignified Felicitation Ceremony in the Banqueting Hall at Belfast City Hall (10 October), with guests including a delegation of acclaimed Indian artists and business leaders, recognising their contributions to arts, culture and international engagement.
Distinguished guests included the Lord Mayor of Belfast and key figures from across the academic and cultural sectors. Co-hosted, on behalf of Ulster, by Maureen Collins, Director of Partnerships and Development, and by Lata Sharma, writer and broadcaster.
Organised by Rhythmz of India (led by Dibya Bassu), the Indian Cultural Festival not only brought world-renowned artists and cultural icons to the city but also marked an important step in positioning Ulster University and the Faculty of AHSS in particular, as a destination of choice for Indian students seeking to study creative subjects abroad.
Ulster University was represented by senior AHSS faculty and global engagement leaders, including Professor Sven Schottmann, Associate Dean of Global Partnerships, AHSS; Damian McAlister, Chief People Officer, Professor Mary Hannon-Fletcher, Dean of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and Ciara Shufflebottom, Academic Officer, Dean’s Office (AHSS).
Guests were presented with gifts and a certificate from Ulster University recognising them as Honorary Global Ambassadors for Arts and Culture, in appreciation of their contributions to cultural diplomacy and creative excellence.
Main Cultural Festival at ICC Belfast
The weekend culminated in a two-day Cultural Festival at the ICC Belfast (11 and 12 October), where the public was treated to a dynamic showcase of Indian art, music, dance and craft.
The exhibitions opened each afternoon, offering interactive experiences and hands-on workshops. From classical dance performances to contemporary visual arts, the Festival brought a vibrant energy to the city.
Staff, students and members of the public gathered in large numbers, highlighting the appetite for meaningful cultural exchange and inclusive celebration, and feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive.
Maureen Collins co-hosted a panel talk with Lata Sharma on Saturday with international students (two from Ulster University and two from Queen’s University Belfast) discussing their experience of living and studying in Belfast. All were enthusiastic, with ‘favourite things’, ranging from 'rain’ to ‘industry experience’ and the ‘warmth of the welcome’. All four students were excited to meet Deputy Lord Major, Paul Doherty and enjoyed seeing Bollywood legendary singer, Kunal Ganjawala and the amazing dancer and singer Kumar Sharma with his Kathak rockers.
Maureen Collins, Director of Partnerships and Development, said:
“Over a year in the making this collaboration was a joyful event culminating in a spectacular dance-off between the Belfast based Irish Entertainment Group and the Kathak rockers. Everyone in the auditorium ended up dancing. Special mention has to go to the amazing Dibya Basu of Rhythmz of India and her husband Souvik who organised the whole event. Dibya even had a baby in the run-up, seven-week Aira managed to sleep through everything all weekend!”
These events build on recent AHSS student experiences, such as exchange visits, collaborations and a visit to a Bollywood film studio last year led by Dr Victoria McCollum, Partnership Director and lecturer in Film and Performing Arts.
Professor Sven Schottmann, Associate Dean of Global Partnerships, AHSS, said:
"Events like these not only enrich the student and staff experience but also strengthen Belfast’s reputation as a welcoming, internationally connected city. They play an important role in promoting Ulster University’s Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences as an exciting destination for Indian students seeking to study creative and culturally engaged subjects abroad.”
Damian McAlister, Chief People Officer, added:
“The Indian Cultural Festival has laid a strong foundation for future partnerships and creative initiatives, and this collaboration reflects the Festival partners’ shared commitment to global citizenship and cultural dialogue.
I would like to thank all staff who supported or attended the celebrations, and we look forward to more opportunities to connect, collaborate and celebrate together.”
Professor Mary Hannon-Fletcher, Dean of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, commented:
“The events, jointly sponsored by Ulster University and Queen’s University Belfast, were a powerful reminder of the role higher education institutions play in bridging communities and fostering cross-cultural understanding.”
Find out more:
For details of all events being held at Ulster University, visit www.ulster.ac.uk/events
If you have any further questions about the University’s involvement in the Indian Cultural Festival, contact Maureen Collins by email to m.collins@ulster.ac.uk
Photo caption - top photo:
International students from Ulster University and Queen's University Belfast met with Deputy Lord Major, Paul Doherty at a panel talk along with Maureen Collins, Partnerships and Development Director (Belfast School of Art), Ulster University.
(From left-right): Siddesh Kumar (QUB MBA student), Maureen Collins (Ulster University), Bavatharani Anantharaja (Ulster University MA Film Studies student), Nisha Rawat, QUB MBA student, and Sumit Sumit, Ulster University MBA student.
