University News Last updated 04 February
Professor Hanifa Shah has been formally invested as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) at a ceremony held at Windsor Castle in January.
Birmingham City University's Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Enterprise, Engagement and STEAM received the honour from Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne.
"Receiving my OBE at Windsor Castle was an incredibly special moment, made even more meaningful by being surrounded by members of my family who have supported and encouraged me throughout my journey," said Professor Shah, pictured above.
"This honour reflects not only my own work, but the shared commitment of educators, students and industry partners who believe in the power of education to open doors and change lives. I hope it serves as encouragement to anyone who may not always see themselves represented, but whose aspirations and potential truly matter.”
Professor Shah was recognised in The King’s Birthday Honours List 2025 for her outstanding services to education, marking a major milestone in a career dedicated to widening access to learning and driving innovation across the sector.
A Fellow of the British Computer Society, a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and a Chartered Engineer, she holds a First-Class BSc (Hons) in Computing Science, a PhD in Computer Science, and a Master’s degree in Sustainability Leadership from the University of Cambridge.
At BCU, Professor Shah has played a pivotal role in strengthening links between education, industry and communities, supporting students to develop the skills required for modern careers while contributing to regional economic growth.
Professor David Mba, BCU's Vice-Chancellor, said: “The BCU community is incredibly proud of Professor Shah and her achievements. This is a recognition of her talent and hard work as an educator and leader, as an individual who wants students of all backgrounds to have access to quality education without barriers.
"Her work has helped position BCU at the forefront of interdisciplinary learning."
Professor Shah has spearheaded the advancement of the STEAM agenda at BCU, championing an integrated curriculum that brings together creativity, critical thinking and technical excellence.
She also led the academic vision for STEAMhouse, BCU’s £70 million centre for interdisciplinary innovation. In addition, Professor Shah serves as a trustee of Millennium Point Trust, a STEM-focused charity, and sits on the board of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology.