Karnavati University, India
NTU and Karnavati University collaborate on the unique B.Design (Honours) Global Design Programme, enabling students to experience international learning, with NTU as their final year destination.
NTU Students Bring New Perspectives to Nottingham Castle’s KATHA: Evolving Identities Exhibition
We’re excited to spotlight the achievements of students from Karnavati University (KU) in India, who are here at NTU for a semester as part of B.Design (Honours) Global Design Programme. This unique programme gives students the opportunity to study one international semester each year of their degree, with NTU being their final-year destination.
Group picture at Nottingham Castle
One of the highlights of the students' time here has been their work in the Katha: Evolving Identities exhibition at Nottingham Castle, where each student has reinterpreted an artefact from the Indian Collections for Diwali.
These artefacts, originally brought to Nottingham to inspire lace workers or kept in private collections, have often lost their original meaning and context. Katha aims to reconnect these objects with their heritage, honouring the artisans’ skills and their contributions to India’s cultural and design legacy.
Through extensive research, the students have made significant contributions to the exhibition. They developed nearly 25,000 words of research, created podcasts, and produced workshops, animations, and colouring activities for younger visitors. Their efforts also included a catalogue, content for a digital app, and live performances.
“The Castle team, including Ann Inscker, Ron Inglis, and Bhavesh Jani, have been incredible partners to work with, providing time and expertise while allowing the students to interpret this remarkable collection,” said Jonathan Gration, NTU Course Leader of the UID Karnavati University Programme. “The students achieved an impressive feat in a short period, supported by NTU tutors Anisha Parmar, Vivien Chan, and Craig Proud, who ensured theory and practice were balanced with a strong focus on heritage and decolonial approaches in the development.”
Priya Gondhiya, one of the students participating in this exhibition, said: “Displaying artefacts of Indian origin and telling the stories of their makers and owners is a way for us to honour our ancestors who lived through the bitter colonial era and to remember those who contributed to India gaining its independence.”
“This exhibition allows the Indian community in Nottingham to come together in celebration, connect with our heritage, and reflect with pride. I hope it inspires others to find the courage to share their own stories,” said Disha, another student involved in the exhibition.
We’re delighted to have our second cohort of Karnavati University students here with us at NTU. This truly is a unique programme demonstrating an innovative approach to internationalisation and global learning which we’re proud to be part of.
Tee Dymond, Associate Director of NTU Global
How You Can Get Involved
- Visit the Katha: Evolving Identities Exhibition in person, open until 30 March 2025.
- Listen to the exhibition's inspiration on the Bloomberg Connects app.
- Attend interactive workshops led by our students at the castle.
- Get in touch with Jonathan Gration to discuss collaborating on projects for the next iteration of the KU-NTU partnership programme
- Contact the castle to explore collections that can enhance teaching and support global partnerships.