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²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Leicester (²ÝÁñÊÓƵ) has taken its place on the world stage for the past 12 days as the COP 28 climate conference talks reached their conclusion in Dubai. 

²ÝÁñÊÓƵ were official observers at what were the most important climate talks in decades as a new deal was struck between nations, calling on all countries to move away from using fossil fuels.

Our postgraduate students and academics have had a front row seat to the negotiations, debates and meetings taking place among the 198 nations – while back on campus in Leicester, students and staff took part in a series of climate action events. 

²ÝÁñÊÓƵ was the only UK university to have its own pavilion in the COP28 Blue Zone, where the official negotiations take place.  

It is also the only UK university to be a United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) global hub representing SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.  

Vice-Chancellor Professor Katie Normington said: “²ÝÁñÊÓƵ has been playing its role on the world stage for the past 12 days and I could not be more proud. We have taken our place at the top table at a world event and that is where I want this university to be positioned. 

“Our delegation has made important contacts and held exciting conversations with influential organisations and I am hopeful some of this will bear future for this university. There is now much work to be done to build on COP 28 and create a real legacy.” 

A delegation of senior leaders, academics, and researchers contributed their expertise during the talks. 

It has also been an opportunity for high-level talks between ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ and governments, royalty, fellow universities and other universities and NGOs, while visitors to the pavilion included:  

• The King of Malawi HRM Inkosi Ya Makosi Gomani met with Professor Raffaella Villa and researcher Ogemdi Anika to discuss their biogas research and its possible adaptions in his primarily agricultural country. 

• Nigeria’s Minister for Youth Dr Jamila Bio Ibrahim met with PhD student Abi Okoya to discuss her work on building capacity within the country’s universities to upskill students to provide innovate and entrepreneurial solutions to plastic waste. 

• A delegation from Mongolia also had talks with researcher Jennifer Dranttel about her work on using mycelium in the lining of traditional gers, or yurts, to cut out harmful pollution  

²ÝÁñÊÓƵ’s pavilion also staged talks between the C40 Cities organisation, which are represented with governments in the official negotiations on climate action in urban areas, and held joint research events with the UK Science and Innovation Network, University of Miami and the UK Universities Climate Change Network.  

There were meetings with representatives of other universities throughout the potential working together on partnerships, projects, and collaborations.  

PVC International Simon Bradbury met with Graham Stuart MP, Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero, and Dr Lipeka Deka met with the British government minister Stephen Barclay, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. VC Katie Normington met Sir Steve Smith, the UK Government’s International Education Champion. 

Professor Muyiwa Oyinlola and PhD student Abi Okoya whose work focuses on capacity building in Nigeria, also met with the President of Nigeria, the country’s Minister for the Environment; Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Senior Special Assistant to the Nigerian President on the Sustainable Development Goals, and Nigerian Princess HE Toyin Ojora Saraki, President of the Well-Being Foundation Africa, to discuss their work in the country and potential projects in the future. 

Professor Oyinlola, the Director of the Institute for Energy and Sustainable Development, added: “COP 28 has been very successful. We have been able to connect with and speak to some very high-profile people in the Nigerian government, including the President.  

“I am looking forward to some significant outcomes and work on projects that will build capacity and bring significant impact and affect people’s lives.” 

More than 500 students and staff supported events in ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ’s Leicester campus, which included working with the Canals and River Trust to clean up the River Soar, to welcoming green SMEs to campus to share their business journey, a Question Time-style event for first time voters, providing free breakfasts for cyclist commuters and the ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Climate Awards, recognising research and public engagement that helps the planet.