Indian scholar named Student of the Year at Birmingham varsity

LONDON: A Mumbai-born student studying at the University of Birmingham has been declared as the Indian Student of the Year for 2014.

Pranay Shah received the award shortly after graduating with a Masters in Biochemistry, the university said today. He initially joined a three-year Biochemistry course in 2009, but his tutor encouraged him to upgrade to the flexible undergraduate-Masters degree course (MSci). Pranay said that this extra year of study helped him be more independent and gain more lab-based experience.

The award coincides with Lord Bilimoria of Chelsea taking charge as the University's seventh chancellor. The India-born founder of Cobra Beer was installed during an official ceremony held on July 17.

Pranay received the award at a ceremony attended by esteemed guests, his family, including his mother. On receiving the award, he said: "Winning the Indian Student of the Year award is a remarkable feeling. It was a complete surprise for me; my heart skipped a beat when I was told I had won."