The Inaugural Educate North Awards: Who won what?

Over 200 people gathered in Manchester to attend the first Educate North Awards to celebrate the contributions that UK Universities are making to the North of England.

Proud Student

Being a student at the University of Chester, I was thrilled when I heard that the University was nominated for six awards. And I was even more thrilled when we won four of them: Student Union of the Year, The Environment award, Research Project of the Year and Dr Neil Pickles winning Lecturer of the Year!

But with 13 other awards to be given out, many other institutions were celebrating that night.

The Big Ones

One of the biggest awards of the evening, the University of the Year, was awarded to the University of York. The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Koen Lamberts, said: “We believe this award reflects the dedication to excellence of our staff and students.”

The winner of the New University of the Year was the University of Huddersfield, with the Leadership Award being won by Professor Bob Cryan. Professor Cryan said: “Every prize like this is a tribute to the hard work of our staff and students in making sure that our University continues to make remarkable progress.”

We’re proud winners of the New University of the Year and Leadership awards @educatenorth http://t.co/jsBIYunUcI pic.twitter.com/YPJm1Q8gbs
— Uni. of Huddersfield (@HuddersfieldUni) June 4, 2015

Newcastle College was awarded the Access Award for their Learning Support Service and the Further Education College / Sixth Form of the Year. Newcastle College Principal, Carole Kitching, said that: “I am completely overwhelmed by this achievement and am so proud of everyone at the college who has contributed to our success.”

The University of Liverpool were awarded with three awards. They won the Best Student Experience for their Central Teaching Laboratories, the Specialist Institute of the Year for the Institute of Infection and Global Health and the Management School was awarded the Business School of the Year award. Patrick Hackett, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, said: “I am delighted that the University has been recognised in this way.”

Congratulations to our amazing #EducateNorth winners! http://t.co/1ltIOp9kOd pic.twitter.com/S6sxJ6rGdw
— Uni of Liverpool (@livuninews) June 4, 2015

The Research Team of the Year was won by Liverpool John Moores University for their Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences. Professor Dave Richardson, Director of the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences said that: “this is further testament and recognition of the high calibre staff that we have here and also to the exceptional leadership of Professor Keith George, Head of the Research Institute.”

Lancaster University were the recipients of the Commercial Engagement Award. Educate North judges said that “this was an outstanding application, which displayed Lancaster’s role in kick-starting British enterprise. The University has well-constructed and sustainable initiatives showing benefits to the university, the region and beyond.

And Let’s not forget…

Other winners of the night included the University of Leeds Partnership Team who won the M&S Company Archive award; the University of Hull’s Federation of Colleges were awarded with the Academic Co-Operation Award and the Innovation Award was won by Barnsley College for their ITrust scheme.