Westminster staff wounded in Mumbai terror attacks
November 28, 2008
The Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai
A University of Westminster professor was wounded in the terrorist attacks in Mumbai this wednesday, the institution has revealed today.
Simon Healeas, Director of the Business Experience and International Unit in the Westminster Business School was wounded in the attack.
He was shot in the right arm while staying at the Taj Mahal hotel in the centre of Mumbai on the day of the attacks.
He is now receiving medical attention at Bombay Hospital and his condition is stable.
The University has stated that the other 12 members of the delegation, in India for a conference, are safe and away from the disturbances.
Their Indian colleagues, including businessmen, academics and city officers, are also safe and have been advised to stay indoors.
University Staff Return
Arrangements are being made for the possibility of an early return for the staff.
Speaking to Bury the Lead, the University Press Officer Rob Watson said that most staff “will be able to travel back on or before Sunday evening.”
The thirteen members of the University were attending events with the British Council and working on projects with the University of Mumbai.
Within the group of Indian colleagues were also the Mumbai sheriff, Indu Shahani, and Vikram Mathur, who is alumni president for the University of Mumbai as well as deputy head for Rolls Royce in India.
One professor, Ashif Tejani of the Computer Science Department, has already boarded a flight back to the U.K.
Background to the Terror attacks in Mumbai
UPDATE: 1/12/2008
The University of Westminster staff have returned to the UK at the time of this update.
Simon Healeas and his wife will be returning sometime later this week, or next week, together with professor Director of Scholarships Colin Matheson, who is extending his stay in order to continue to coordinate actions on the ground.
While some University of Westminster staff are, with God’s grace, recovering from violence, one Ugandan lecturer is hobnobbing with his country-men in the Diaspora to wreak havoc on certain ethnic groups in their country. Their association in through a internet group – Ugandans at Heart.