Strathclyde is shortlisted in 10 categories in The Herald Higher Education Awards 2021 which celebrate excellence in Scotland’s universities and colleges.
The Awards, run by The Herald newspaper, are now in their sixth year and touch on all aspects of Higher Education.
Strathclyde is shortlisted in the following categories:
Enhancing Student Learning Award – Sponsored by QAA Scotland – We are Strathclyde. We are Strathclyde is an innovative four-week course for incoming undergraduate students to support their transition to studying in Higher Education, with the aims of increasing student confidence, preparing for life as an undergraduate and ensuring students are aware of how the University will support them throughout their academic career.
Supporting Student Wellbeing Award – Disability & Wellbeing Service. As part of the Strathclyde Student Pledge, outlining the University’s commitment to its learner community in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Disability & Wellbeing Service at Strathclyde significantly expanded its mental health and wellbeing support available to students affected by the unprecedented changes to their lives.
Outstanding Contribution from a University Student – Stewart Harris. During a time of unprecedented change undergraduate student Stewart Harris, from Balloch, an MSc in Business Analysis Technology and Hospitality and Tourism Management within Strathclyde Business School and recipient of a Sandy Nairn Scholarship, has volunteered more than 200 hours of his time to help his community during a period of great need – training as a Community First Responder and subsequently an Emergency Medical Dispatcher.
Research Project of the Year – Suicide Reporting Toolkit for media. The Suicide Reporting Toolkit project has provided journalists around the world with guidance on how to report sensitively on suicide. The toolkit, produced by Strathclyde in partnership with the University of Bournemouth has received significant global attention and is available on the website of the Independent Press Standards Organisation.
Outstanding Business Engagement in Universities – COVID-19 Modelling for NHS Lanarkshire. By combining their expertise scientists at Strathclyde and NHS Lanarkshire worked together to produce modelling to enable accurate prediction of demand for Intensive Care Unit beds during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, helping to ensure hospitals had sufficient resources to care for those in need.
Innovative Use of Technology Award – Sponsored by Jisc – Centre for Lifelong Learning. With in-person learning across the education sectors prevented due to COVID-19 the Centre for Lifelong Learning at Strathclyde worked to ensure that its thousands of older learners were still able to learn and connect at a time when human contact and a distraction from bad news was vital.
Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community – CHAS Inclusive Strategy. Strathclyde Business School helped CHAS to develop an inclusive strategy that proactively sought out and listened to the voices of the people at the heart of its services – children with life-shortening conditions and their parents – thereby ensuring the charity continues to support families when they need it most.
Marketing/PR Campaign of the Year – 1796 Minutes to Give. Taking its title from the University’s date of founding, 1796 Minutes to Give was a digitally-driven, themed fundraising campaign that took place over 30 hours to raise funds for priority student projects from alumni, staff, students and friends of the Strathclyde, and raised more than £154,000 from 776 donors.
Widening Access Award – Social Responsibility Pathways. A key initiative and credit-bearing element of their studies that involves students in Strathclyde’s Widening Participation strategy and sees students working with initiatives and external organisations in real-life contexts while engaging in activities with a positive social dimension that has benefitted almost 1,200 students since 2014.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award – Digital Inclusion Laptop Loan Scheme. This initiative saw Strathclyde supplement government funds provided to support students with access to computers and broadband to ensure that no student was left behind by the switch to online learning predicated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with 170 laptops and 129 wi-fi grants issued.
Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Principal & Vice-Chancellor, said: “Being shortlisted in no fewer than 10 Higher Education Awards categories reflects the positive impact our University staff and students have made over the last year, in spite of the exceptional challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is great to see the Strathclyde community being recognised for excellence.
“Scotland is home to a fantastic network of innovative universities and colleges that are making a positive difference to the world around them, and I am delighted The Herald is celebrating both the Higher Education and Further Education sectors in this way.”
The winners will be announced during an online ceremony on 17th June.